Taliban blamed for Bhutto assassination

Pakistani police today formally accused the top Taliban leader in the country of planning the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Police filed preliminary charges in court against Baitullah Mehsud, who has been named by the Pakistani government in the December 27 killing of Ms Bhutto in a suicide and gun-attack during a public rally. Four others were also charged.

“Police submitted preliminary charges in the Bhutto case before an anti-terrorism court, and the judge issued non-bailable warrants of arrest against Baitullah Mehsud and four other accused,” said Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, chief investigator in the case.