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Explosions rock Pakistan mosque Explosions rock Pakistan mosque
(about 2 hours later)
Several loud explosions have been heard at a mosque in the Pakistani capital where armed Islamic students have been resisting a siege by security forces.Several loud explosions have been heard at a mosque in the Pakistani capital where armed Islamic students have been resisting a siege by security forces.
At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at Islamabad's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) complex.At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at Islamabad's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) complex.
Pakistani authorities have sent troops and police to seal off the mosque and have urged its students to surrender.Pakistani authorities have sent troops and police to seal off the mosque and have urged its students to surrender.
The mosque has been at the forefront of a vigilante campaign to enforce a form of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan.The mosque has been at the forefront of a vigilante campaign to enforce a form of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan.
Its students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.Its students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.
Pakistani President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has been criticised for failing to clamp down on the mosque's activities. Cleric captured
The latest confrontation is said to have started on Tuesday when security forces encircled the mosque with barriers. It is not clear what caused the explosions in the early hours of Thursday morning, as reporters were being kept away from the site by police.
Women students of one of two seminaries attached to the mosque protested in a nearby street, while their male counterparts traded gunfire with security forces. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6265354.stm">In pictures: Mosque violence class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6503477.stm">Profile: Red mosque class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6267024.stm">Anger boils over at mosque
Farooq Anwar, a police official, told the Associated Press news agency that security forces had responded to shots fired from the mosque compound.
Earlier on Wednesday, hundreds of students were allowed to leave the mosque after they were screened by police.
One of the mosque's senior clerics was captured by police as he tried to leave the building disguised as a woman.
Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught wearing the burqa, an all-enveloping sheet-like dress adopted by some Muslim women.
A security official told the AFP news agency the cleric was noticed because his height and his large stomach set him apart from the women he was with.
Pakistani President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has long been criticised for failing to clamp down on the mosque's activities.
The latest confrontation reportedly started when security forces tried to place barriers around the mosque.
On Tuesday, women students of one of two seminaries attached to the mosque protested in the street, while their male counterparts traded gunfire with security forces.
At least 16 people died in the violence and scores were hurt.At least 16 people died in the violence and scores were hurt.