Islamabad: Pakistan Govenment today confirmed that Benazir Bhutto died of head injuries and not due to bullet injuries.

In a press conference, Interior Minister spokesperson Javed Cheema said, "Bhutto was killed by the splinters that hit her as the suicide bomber blew himself up. According to the medical reports, no bullet wounds were found on Benazir's body and doctors confirmed that she died of head injuries."

The spokesperson said the suicide bomber tried a few shots at Benazir but failed and than he blew himself up and it was a splinter unleashed in the explosion that unfortunately hit her and killed her.

He also said that she was struck by a sharpnel on the right side of her head which resulted in a fracture on her skull. According to the X-ray report, there was no other sign of any other wound on her body, he added.

However, no post-mortem has been conducted on Benazir's body as per instructions from the Pakistan Government, which received a medical report signed by seven doctors.

He also said that Benazir was escorted out of the rally safely as per earlier media reports. During the rally, Bhutto was on board a bullet proof car and was standing through the sun roof of the car, he confirmed.

He said if Bhutto had "not stood up and exposed herself from the sun-roof of her bulletproof vehicle, perhaps things would have been different and nothing would have happened".

Source : Agencies