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Pakistan soldier 'dies at mosque' Pakistan soldier 'dies at mosque'
(about 1 hour later)
A Pakistani soldier has been killed in clashes with radical Islamist students outside a rebellious mosque in the capital, Islamabad, officials say.A Pakistani soldier has been killed in clashes with radical Islamist students outside a rebellious mosque in the capital, Islamabad, officials say.
Both sides have fired shots at each other and police have been using tear gas to try to disperse the students. Firing by both sides is continuing. Police have also used tear gas to disperse the students, injuring many.
For several months armed students and clerics at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and its two religious schools have been defying the authorities. For several months armed students and clerics at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and its two religious schools have been openly defying the authorities.
Clerics at the mosque are campaigning for Islamic Sharia law to be enforced.Clerics at the mosque are campaigning for Islamic Sharia law to be enforced.
Injured
The death of the paramilitary soldier is believed to be the first casualty in the stand-off between the authorities and the students.The death of the paramilitary soldier is believed to be the first casualty in the stand-off between the authorities and the students.
Profile: Red madrassa
"I can confirm that one of our troopers has been killed in the firing from inside the mosque," a senior paramilitary official, Masha Allah, told reporters outside the Lal Masjid."I can confirm that one of our troopers has been killed in the firing from inside the mosque," a senior paramilitary official, Masha Allah, told reporters outside the Lal Masjid.
Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said later that the man had died of his injuries in hospital.
At least one policeman is also reported to have been wounded.At least one policeman is also reported to have been wounded.
The students say scores have been affected by the tear gas, with two in a serious condition. One has bullet wounds, the students say. The students say scores of people from the mosque have been affected by the tear gas, with two in a serious condition. One has bullet wounds, the students say.
Sporadic shooting could still be heard outside the mosque an hour after gunfire broke out, with dozens of students, some armed, patrolling the area. Doctors at a nearby hospital 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.
Reinforcements The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan who is outside the mosque says sporadic shooting by both sides can still be heard, two hours after gunfire first broke out.
Students are armed with sticks and petrol bombs and some are wearing masks, the BBC Urdu service's Haroon Rashid who is at the scene says. Dozens of students - mostly armed with sticks and petrol bombs, but some with guns and wearing masks - are patrolling around the mosque.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6503477.stm">Profile: Red madrassa Our correspondent says the authorities are stopping and checking ambulances ferrying the wounded from the mosque to hospital.
Our correspondent says the atmosphere is tense and that he has heard some shots that sounded like they came from within the mosque. Uninjured students are being detained. In one instance, a student escaped arrest, narrowly dodging bullets fired at him by security personnel.
Kidnappings
There are two religious schools (madrassas) attached to the mosque, one for men, one for women.There are two religious schools (madrassas) attached to the mosque, one for men, one for women.
The trouble started when a group of female students came out in large numbers and the paramilitary police used teargas against them. The trouble started when a group of female students came out in large numbers and the paramilitary police used tear gas against them.
Extra police had been deployed around the mosque earlier in the day.Extra police had been deployed around the mosque earlier in the day.
An official said the move was to prevent the seminary students from taking the law into their own hands.An official said the move was to prevent the seminary students from taking the law into their own hands.
The Red Mosque and its seminaries have been at the centre of a number of confrontations with the authorities. They include the kidnapping of police and people the mosque says are involved in immoral activities. Mosque leaders say the security forces started the trouble by erecting barricades near the mosque.
The Lal Masjid and its seminaries have been at the centre of a number of confrontations with the authorities. They include the kidnapping of police and people the mosque says are involved in immoral activities.
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.
Correspondents say the authorities seem unwilling or unable to act. President Musharraf has said security forces cannot raid the mosque for fear of reprisal suicide attacks.Correspondents say the authorities seem unwilling or unable to act. President Musharraf has said security forces cannot raid the mosque for fear of reprisal suicide attacks.