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Pakistan cleric urges surrender Pakistan cleric urges surrender
(30 minutes later)
The chief cleric of a rebellious mosque being besieged by Pakistani security forces in Islamabad has urged militant students inside to surrender or flee.The chief cleric of a rebellious mosque being besieged by Pakistani security forces in Islamabad has urged militant students inside to surrender or flee.
Hundreds of students remain in the mosque. Fresh shots and several blasts were heard in the past few minutes. There has been sporadic gunfire but no move to storm the mosque, where hundreds of students remain.
Maulana Abdul Aziz told state TV the siege was "massive" and it was time to give up. He was caught trying to leave the Red Mosque in a burqa on Wednesday.Maulana Abdul Aziz told state TV the siege was "massive" and it was time to give up. He was caught trying to leave the Red Mosque in a burqa on Wednesday.
The clerics have been campaigning for Islamic Sharia law in Islamabad.The clerics have been campaigning for Islamic Sharia law in Islamabad.
Students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.Students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.
Students... should either leave, if they can, or surrender Maulana Abdul Aziz In pictures: Mosque stand-off Students... should either leave, if they can, or surrender Maulana Abdul Aziz In pictures: Mosque stand-off
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the radicals do not have much support in the capital and people are quite glad to see the government taking them on.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the radicals do not have much support in the capital and people are quite glad to see the government taking them on.
But the authorities' action is likely to upset people in the more conservative North-West Frontier province, where most of the students come from.But the authorities' action is likely to upset people in the more conservative North-West Frontier province, where most of the students come from.
At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at the complex. Water, food supplies and electricity have been cut.At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at the complex. Water, food supplies and electricity have been cut.
In his comments to state television, Maulana Abdul Aziz said he realised people inside the mosque could not hold out for long.In his comments to state television, Maulana Abdul Aziz said he realised people inside the mosque could not hold out for long.
"After coming out I saw the siege was massive and came to the conclusion that we should give up," he said."After coming out I saw the siege was massive and came to the conclusion that we should give up," he said.
He said only a few of the hundreds still inside the mosque were armed.He said only a few of the hundreds still inside the mosque were armed.
"I have told them not to sacrifice their lives for me.""I have told them not to sacrifice their lives for me."
'Suicide bombers''Suicide bombers'
Pakistani troops have been tightening their grip around the mosque in recent days.Pakistani troops have been tightening their grip around the mosque in recent days.
They set off a series of eight explosions outside the mosque before dawn on Thursday. No casualties have been reported but there was some damage to the mosque.They set off a series of eight explosions outside the mosque before dawn on Thursday. No casualties have been reported but there was some damage to the mosque.
Profile: Red Mosque Anguish of mosque parents Suspicions over mosque Profile: Red Mosque Anguish of mosque parents Suspicions over 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."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.
The government said more than 1,200 students had surrendered so far, and that their details were being recorded at a camp set up near the mosque.The government said more than 1,200 students had surrendered so far, and that their details were being recorded at a camp set up near the mosque.
Following the expiry of an 0900 local time (0500 GMT) deadline on Thursday, at least four more female students and one male student were seen giving themselves up.Following the expiry of an 0900 local time (0500 GMT) deadline on Thursday, at least four more female students and one male student were seen giving themselves up.
The mosque leaders have warned of suicide bombings if security forces storm the complex.The mosque leaders have warned of suicide bombings if security forces storm the complex.
But one student, Johar Ali, 20, said as he left that he had not seen any suicide bombers among those inside.But one student, Johar Ali, 20, said as he left that he had not seen any suicide bombers among those inside.
Others said many students were ready for "martyrdom".Others said many students were ready for "martyrdom".
The students holding out in the mosque are now led by Maulana Aziz's brother, Abdul Rashid Ghazi.The students holding out in the mosque are now led by Maulana Aziz's brother, Abdul Rashid Ghazi.
He said the radicals would not surrender unless troops pulled back.He said the radicals would not surrender unless troops pulled back.
Some children are thought to be in the mosque, but Mr Ghazi reportedly refused to allow their release despite requests from parents.Some children are thought to be in the mosque, but Mr Ghazi reportedly refused to allow their release despite requests from parents.
Our correspondent says the threat of force is likely to remain but that talks are expected to continue.Our correspondent says the threat of force is likely to remain but that talks are expected to continue.
BarriersBarriers
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.
Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught as he tried to escape in a burqaMaulana Abdul Aziz was caught as he tried to escape in a burqa
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.
The violence took the stand-off to a new level, leaving the authorities little choice but to bring the situation to a conclusion, correspondents say.The violence took the stand-off to a new level, leaving the authorities little choice but to bring the situation to a conclusion, correspondents say.