In the worst ever terror strike in Pakistan, at least 139 people were killed and over 500 others injured when a suicide bomber targeting former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto blew himself up during her homecoming procession in Karachi in the wee hours of Friday. However, Bhutto escaped unhurt.

The bomber struck just 10-15 ft away from the specially refurbished armoured truck in which 54-year-old Bhutto was travelling along with close aides, as the procession, which was moving towards the tomb of Pakistan?s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, reached the Karsaz area of the port city.

A grenade exploded seconds before the suicide bomber struck ripping through a police van in front of Bhutto?s truck, which was also damaged, killing mostly supporters of Pakistan People?s Party (PPP) who had thronged the streets in thousands to greet her.

Condemning the twin blasts, India on Friday expressed relief that Bhutto was uninjured. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a letter to President Pervez Musharraf expressed deep concerns on the dastardly act in Karachi and reiterated that such acts of violence and terrorism are totally unacceptable in any civilised society and are to be strongly condemned.

Bhutto, who was on her way to Jinnah mausoleum after arriving in Pakistan following eight-years self-exile, had climbed down into the truck after waving to the crowds when the attack took place. She was immediately rescued and whisked away to her residence, Bilawal House, by security personnel and PPP workers, as people ran helter-skelter fearing for their lives. ?Bhutto is safe and was taken to her home here,? PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

The attack was condemned strongly by governments all over the world.

According to an official statement issued by the ministry of external affairs, expressing their deep condolences, both Singh and the minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee, conveyed their concerns to Bhutto through the high commissioner of India to Pakistan Satyabrata Pal.

Earlier during the day, external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here, ?We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Karachi.?