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Explosions rock Pakistan mosque | Explosions rock Pakistan mosque |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Pakistani security forces have set off a series of what they describe as warning blasts outside the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad. | |
At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at the complex. | |
The explosions, which happened before dawn, are not thought to have caused any casualties, and students inside have been urged 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. |
Cleric captured | Cleric captured |
There were about eight explosions over a period of several minutes, according to eyewitnesses. | |
In pictures: After violence Profile: Red mosque Anger boils over at mosque | In pictures: After violence Profile: Red mosque Anger boils over at mosque |
"All people in the mosque should surrender or they will be responsible for losses," said the police warning broadcast over loudspeakers, according to witnesses quoted by Reuters news agency. | |
On Wednesday, hundreds of students were allowed to leave the mosque after they were screened by police. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |