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| Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque | Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 10 people have died in clashes between security forces and militant students at a mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, officials say. | |
| A soldier, two students and a journalist were 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. |
| An armoured personnel carrier... was met by a hail of fire Anger boils over at mosque | An armoured personnel carrier... was met by a hail of fire Anger boils over at mosque |
| 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. |
| Injured | Injured |
| Fighting around the Lal Masjid raged throughout much of Tuesday. | Fighting around the Lal Masjid raged throughout much of Tuesday. |
| More than 140 people were wounded in the violence, officials said. | More than 140 people were wounded in the violence, officials said. |
| In pictures: Mosque violence Forces behind Red Mosque Profile: Red mosque | In pictures: Mosque violence Forces behind Red Mosque Profile: Red mosque |
| Speaking to the BBC, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said the government was still discussing how to handle the situation. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Among those killed was at least one passer-by, officials said. The journalist who died was a cameraman filming for a private television station. | Among those killed was at least one passer-by, officials said. The journalist who died was a cameraman filming for a private television station. |
| The killing of the paramilitary soldier was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students. | The killing of the paramilitary soldier was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students. |
| A senior paramilitary official said the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque". | A senior paramilitary official said the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque". |
| 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 at a nearby hospital said 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. |