INSTANT VIEW: Pakistan's Bhutto killed in attack: party

LONDON (Reuters) - Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack after a rally in the city of Rawalpindi on Thursday, an official of her party said.

Following is reaction from analysts and officials:

ERIC WITTENAUER, OIL ANALYST AT A.G. EDWARDS, ST. LOUIS

"I think it is modestly supportive of oil markets, not because it has an impact on actual production or supply, but it does offer some geopolitical support to a market which continues to be tight. Being a hotbed of al Qaeda activity and camps, it brings some support."

WILLEM SELS, CREDIT STRATEGIST, DRESDNER KLEINWORT, LONDON

"Equity market futures have not dropped dramatically. Geopolitical risks are always something that can add to where the market is going if the market doesn't have more important subjects to jump on. But I think we have enough on our minds in the credit markets and the liquidity crunch that this will remain more important than geopolitical risks. I wouldn't think this will do much to equity or credit market direction."

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL, WASHINGTON

"We do condemn the attack. The attack shows that there are still those in Pakistan trying to undermine reconciliation and democratic development in Pakistan."

PETER BEUTEL, OIL ANALYST, CAMERON HANOVER IN NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT

"It raises the level of tension, but it's hard to connect the dots, try though the market may, between a political assassination and oil.

"It definitely is not a reason to sell and puts everybody on tenterhooks."

MAX KING, INVESTMENT STRATEGIST, INVESTEC ASSET MANAGEMENT, LONDON

"This is absolute disaster for Pakistan. Pakistan is clearly turning into one of the failed states in Asia.

I suppose it could have an impact on India. She (Benazir Bhutto) is a politician who basically had the best attitude towards India."

WILLIAM ADAMS, METALS ANALYST, BASEMETALS.COM, LONDON

"The jump up we've had in gold has been partly on the back of this news as its a destabilizing factor.