New Delhi/Srinagar, Dec 28: People in India have reacted strongly to the assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto.

"What has taken place in Pakistan is very sad. Every time Pakistan tries to return back to normalcy, something of this sort takes place. Indian democracy has matured but Pakistan still needs to learn a lot. I feel the military rule out there is responsible for whatever is taking place, " said Mulziyaz Faxiliyat, a resident.

Describing the assassination as very unfortunate event, the people said it has killed the very essence of democracy that the country was trying to return back to.

Another resident, Javed added, "They have killed the very essence of democracy. It is a great loss to the entire nation. I feel President Pervez should resign. ”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a day-long shutdown reacting to the violence in Pakistan following the assassination of Bhutto.

"It is a very sad thing. We Kashmiris are with them in this time. Geelani has called for a strike in the entire state, " said Ikhtiyaar, a resident.

The people in Kashmir Valley feel that they should express their anger in the wake of the events taking place in the neighbouring nation.

"She was a very good person. I feel we, the common people, should showcase our anger, " said Ahmed, another resident.

Bhutto was addressing a rally in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh area and as she stood up to wave to her supporters from the sunroof of her jeep, the attacker fired at her.

People across the world are stunned by the death of the leader, which is a reminder of a similar event in India, 16 years ago when a suicide bomber killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in 1991. Gandhi was also campaigning for general elections at the time of his assassination.

The assassination of Bhutto came 12 days before an election, which she had hoped to win. (ANI)