( CNN ) -- World leaders reacted with shock and condemnation Thursday to the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto , some expressing concern about the nation 's democratic process . Benazir Bhutto died Thursday after a suicide bombing at a political rally in Rawalpindi , Pakistan . The opposition leader died after a suicide bombing at a political rally in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi ahead of parliamentary elections set for January 8 . President Bush , vacationing at his Texas ranch , condemned the assassination as a `` cowardly act by murderous extremists . '' See Bhutto shortly before her death » . Bush urged Pakistan to `` honor Benazir Bhutto 's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life . '' Watch Bush condemn the killing » . In Washington , the State Department also condemned the attack . `` It shows people are still intent on undermining democracy in Pakistan , '' said deputy spokesman Tom Casey . Pakistan -- which maintains nuclear weapons -- has been a key ally of the United States during its war against al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists in neighboring Afghanistan . Watch mourners crowd around Bhutto 's casket » . Afghan President Hamid Karzai had met with Bhutto just hours before her death . Karzai said Bhutto `` sacrificed her life for the sake of Pakistan , and for the sake of this region . '' She had `` love and desire for peace in Afghanistan , for prosperity in Afghanistan , and for Afghanistan and Pakistan that would be happy , prosperous and have good relations with each other , '' said the Afghan president . Pakistan 's Ambassador to the United States , Mahmud Ali Durrani , said he hoped elections would move forward as planned and called Bhutto 's death a `` national tragedy . '' Watch Durrani on elections » . `` ... we have lost one of our important , very important and , I would stress , liberal leaders , '' Durrani said . For months , the Bush administration has been encouraging Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to work out a compromise with his political opponents , including the popular Bhutto . The former prime minister 's party is widely expected to do well in next month 's elections . See timeline » . Bhutto 's killing prompted Musharraf to declare three days of national mourning and to call on Pakistanis for solidarity and cooperation . `` This is the work of those terrorists with whom we are engaged in war , '' said Musharraf . `` I have been saying that the nation faces the greatest threats from these terrorists . '' Saying he was `` deeply shocked , '' British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called for restraint and unity in the aftermath of the assassination in the former British colony . Bhutto `` knew the risks of her return to campaign but was convinced that her country needed her , '' Miliband said in a statement . Watch UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown : 'It 's a sad day for democracy '' » . French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner , who knew Bhutto personally , `` expressed vivid emotion following the attack , '' said a statement from his office . Kouchner strongly condemned `` this horrible act '' and `` reaffirms France 's commitment to the stability of Pakistan and its democracy , '' the statement said . In India , which has long had a thorny relationship with its neighbors in Pakistan , an Indian Congress Party spokesman told the Press Trust of India , `` ... we must express our deep concern at anything that disrupts and disturbs the even keel of democratic governance in Pakistan . '' The spokesman , Abhishek Singhvi , said Indian democracy loathes violence , saying `` it is not only anti-democracy but also generates instability . '' In Iran , Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in a statement , `` We hope the Pakistani government will identify and bring to justice those behind such a criminal act and restore tranquility to the country . '' Russia 's Foreign Ministry called Bhutto 's death a terror attack . `` We strongly condemn this terrorist act , present our condolences to the family and friends of Benazir Bhutto and hope that Pakistani authorities will provide for national stability , '' said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin . The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly expressed concern that the Pakistani government `` must do its best to ensure the maximum stability in the election period and prevent terrorist acts against Benazir Bhutto and other political leaders , '' said the Kamynin statement . The rally bombing took place as Bhutto campaigned for a third term as prime minister . It was the second recent attack on Bhutto after she defied death threats and returned to her homeland from eight years of self-imposed exile . On October 18 , a suicide bomber targeted her motorcade in Karachi , killing 136 people . Bhutto was unhurt in the attack . E-mail to a friend .
NEW : Musharraf blames terrorists ; appeals for peace , Mr . Karzai says ' ` ` sacrificed her life for the sake of Pakistan '' Bush called on Pakistan to honor Bhutto by adopting democratic process . After death penalty , ex - PM Benazir Bhutto killed after bombing at rally .