Bradford leaders have paid tribute to former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who died today after a suicide bomb attack at an election rally in the Pakistan city of Rawalpindi.

Ms Bhutto was shot moments after leaving a rally of her opposition Pakistan People's Party. The gunman then blew himself up.

The killing has shocked community and religious leaders and MPs in Bradford, who have paid tribute to Miss Bhutto.

She made history in 1988 when she was elected as the first woman prime minister of a Muslim nation, and has visited Bradford on a number of occasions.

Sher Azam, a member of the management committee for Bradford Council for Mosques, said: "We are very sad at this tragic loss of life.

"The people of Bradford will be in shock at this incident because she is the leader of the PPP and, historically, Bradford has an old established link with that party. We are very much in mourning.

"I have a great respect for her and my colleagues have met her several times. I have respect for anyone who can devote life for the betterment of human beings in this way.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh, who met Miss Bhutto several times, said: "This is a tragedy of huge proportions for Pakistan, for Pakistanis across the world and for democracy.

"Words can't describe how I feel and I represent a lot of people in my constituency who originate from Pakistan.

"I met her personally in the Houses of Parliament and when she came to Bradford for rallies on several occasions.

"My thoughts are with her children and with my constituents. I share their pain.

Rashid Awan, president of the Pakistan Society of West York-shire, said: "I am shattered and very disheartened. The country has suffered a great loss.

"This has created a big hole - a vacuum - in the politics of Pakistan that can never be filled. She was outspoken and very determined to defeat the terrorist acts in Pakistan and was very bold to make statements about eradicating those elements in Pakistan. I think that has created a lot of animosity.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said she was shocked and very saddened by Miss Bhutto's death.

The two had last met in the House of Lords in the summer, at a meeting organised by Labour peer Lord Nazir Ahmed prior to Miss Bhutto's return to Pakistan from exile.

Mrs Cryer said: "I can't think that President Musharraf will go ahead with election on January 8 after this tragedy.

"I think it bodes badly for stability in Pakistan and there will be many people in Bradford very upset by what has happened," she added.

Keighley Labour Councillor Khadim Hussain said he blamed the Pakistan Government for failing to protect Miss Bhutto.

He said: "The message was that there were people after her and the Government was aware of it. The finger of blame will fall in that direction - they did not protect her."

"This is a huge blow and very worrying. I fear there will be a huge backlash. She was a ray of hope," he added.

Dr Bary Malik, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Bradford, expressed the shock and sadness the association felt when they heard the news. He said: "It is just an unbelievable situation - the people who did this have no respect for humanity. The reverberations of this will be felt throughout the community. The need for the Pakistan nation to stand united against terrorism, the cancer of the modern times, and fanaticism has truly come."