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Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque
(about 2 hours later)
At least seven people have been killed in clashes between security forces and militant students at a mosque in the Pakistani capital, officials say. At least nine people have been killed in clashes between security forces and militant students at a mosque in the Pakistani capital, officials say.
A soldier, two policemen and two students are among the dead. A soldier, two students and a journalist were among the dead.
After several hours of shooting outside the controversial Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) a ceasefire was negotiated.After several hours of shooting outside the controversial Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) a ceasefire was negotiated.
Armed students at the mosque and religious schools linked to it have defied the authorities for months in a campaign for Islamic Sharia law.Armed students at the mosque and religious schools linked to it have defied the authorities for months in a campaign for Islamic Sharia law.
The mosque and the two madrassas (religious schools) attached to it - one for men, the other for women - have been at the centre of a number of high-profile incidents.The mosque and the two madrassas (religious schools) attached to it - one for men, the other for women - have been at the centre of a number of high-profile incidents.
These include the kidnapping of police and people the mosque's leaders say are involved in immoral activities such as prostitution.These include the kidnapping of police and people the mosque's leaders say are involved in immoral activities such as prostitution.
InjuredInjured
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan who is outside the mosque says the ceasefire was negotiated by a politician from the MMA, a coalition of Islamic parties. Fighting around the Lal Masjid raged throughout much of Tuesday.
Police and doctors say two policemen, one soldier, two students and a passer-by were killed. A cameraman filming the violence also died. Deputy interior minister Zafar Warriach told a news conference: "The deaths of nine people have been confirmed so far and more than 140 wounded."
Other reports put the death toll at more than 10.
In pictures: Mosque violence Profile: Red mosqueIn pictures: Mosque violence Profile: Red mosque
Other reports have put the number killed higher.
Speaking to the BBC, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said the government was still discussing how to handle the situation.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan who is outside the mosque says the ceasefire was negotiated by a politician from the MMA, a coalition of Islamic parties.
Later on Tuesday, students also attacked the nearby Ministry of Environment, setting fire to a number of vehicles in its car park.
At the height of the violence, regular police and paramilitary units ringing the mosque compound were replaced by what appeared to be special forces, our correspondent says.At the height of the violence, regular police and paramilitary units ringing the mosque compound were replaced by what appeared to be special forces, our correspondent says.
Ambulances and journalists were told to move further away from the scene.Ambulances and journalists were told to move further away from the scene.
Large groups of students - mostly armed with sticks and petrol bombs, but some with guns and wearing masks - have been patrolling around the mosque. People fled from busy shopping areas as masked students traded fire with security forces. Dozens of other students - mostly armed with sticks and petrol bombs - patrolled the area.
The first confirmed death on Tuesday - of a paramilitary soldier - was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students. Among those killed was at least one passer-by, officials said. The journalist who died was a cameraman filming for a private television station.
A senior paramilitary official, Masha Allah, told reporters outside the Lal Masjid that the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque". The killing of the paramilitary soldier was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students.
Doctors at a nearby hospital later said two students had also succumbed to their gunshot injuries. A senior paramilitary official said the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque".
The students say scores of people from the mosque have been affected by the tear gas. Doctors at a nearby hospital said they were treating about 60 people suffering the effects of tear gas, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Doctors confirmed they were treating about 60 people suffering the effects of tear gas, the Associated Press news agency reported. Several students had bullet wounds, doctors said. Several students had bullet wounds, doctors said.
'Security links''Security links'
Critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital.Critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital.
President Musharraf has previously said security forces cannot raid the mosque for fear of reprisal suicide attacks.President Musharraf has previously said security forces cannot raid the mosque for fear of reprisal suicide attacks.
BBC correspondents say it is thought the mosque has powerful friends in the security services, which has prevented the authorities from taking action.BBC correspondents say it is thought the mosque has powerful friends in the security services, which has prevented the authorities from taking action.
But the fact that people have now been killed in the stand-off suggests the situation may be turning against the mosque leaders, our correspondents say.But the fact that people have now been killed in the stand-off suggests the situation may be turning against the mosque leaders, our correspondents say.