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Blasts at radical Pakistan mosque Blasts at radical Pakistan mosque
(30 minutes later)
There have been two large explosions in the buildings of a rebellious mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, which is being besieged by security forces.There have been two large explosions in the buildings of a rebellious mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, which is being besieged by security forces.
Much of the compound of the radical Red Mosque is covered in smoke. Separately, troops have breached the compound wall and are waiting for orders to proceed, officials say.
Nineteen people have been killed in three days of clashes at the mosque, where 300-400 students remain, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao has said. At least 19 people have been killed in three days of clashes at the mosque, where 300-400 students remain.
The mosque's chief cleric, who was captured on Wednesday, has urged the militant students to surrender or flee.The mosque's chief cleric, who was captured on Wednesday, has urged the militant students to surrender or flee.
His deputy now says the students will leave the complex if the security forces cease fire. His deputy now says the students will leave the complex if the security forces cease fire and do not arrest them.
The government says that if the students leave unarmed, with their hands in the air, they will be taken into custody. However, the government has said the students will be taken into custody.
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.
'Massive' siege'Massive' siege
Security officials say the blasts at the mosque and attached religious school on Thursday evening were probably caused by mortars belonging to the students going off by mistake.Security officials say the blasts at the mosque and attached religious school on Thursday evening were probably caused by mortars belonging to the students going off by mistake.
Soldiers and paramilitary police encircling the complex moved closer to the building, the BBC's Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says. Soldiers and paramilitary police encircling the complex have moved closer to the compound and breached its wall in three places, the BBC's Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says.
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
On Wednesday, the head of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught trying to leave the Red Mosque in a burqa. On Wednesday, the head of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught trying to leave the Red Mosque in a burka.
In comments to state television on Thursday, he said he realised people inside the mosque could not hold out for long.In comments to state television on Thursday, he 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."
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.
'Unconditional surrender''Unconditional surrender'
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 explosions outside the mosque before dawn on Thursday and, after a brief lull, gunfights between the security forces and the students resumed. They set off a series of explosions outside the mosque before dawn on Thursday.
All reports concerning the government holding any negotiations with those inside the mosque compound are false Aftab SherpaoInterior MinisterAll reports concerning the government holding any negotiations with those inside the mosque compound are false Aftab SherpaoInterior Minister
Both sides exchanged fire throughout the day, although the clashes have now stopped.
No casualties have been reported but there has been some damage to the mosque.No casualties have been reported but there has been some damage to the mosque.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said 740 men and 400 women had so far left the mosque.At a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said 740 men and 400 women had so far left the mosque.
Mr Sherpao said he believed 300-400 students were still inside, of which around 50-60 were hardcore militants. Mr Sherpao said he believed 300-400 students were still inside, of whom around 50-60 were hardcore militants.
He also said the government would reject any offers of talks from Abdul Aziz's younger brother, Ghazi Abdul Rashid, who is still inside the mosque. He warned that the only way out for Abdul Aziz's younger brother, Ghazi Abdul Rashid, and his followers was "total unconditional surrender".
"All reports concerning the government holding any negotiations with those inside the mosque compound are false," he said.
Mr Sherpao also said the only way out for the students was "total unconditional surrender".
'Suicide bombers''Suicide bombers'
Abdul Rashid has said the radicals would be willing to surrender if the security forces stopped firing. Later, Abdul Rashid said he and the students would be willing to lay down their arms if the security forces stopped firing on them and promised not to arrest them.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6503477.stm">Profile: Red Mosque class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6270962.stm">Anguish of mosque parents class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6266514.stm"> Suspicions over mosque However, he did tell government mediator Chaudry Shujaat Hussain that he would permit those among his followers who had cases against them or had connections with banned religious organisations to be taken into custody.
Profile: Red Mosque Anguish of mosque parents Suspicions over mosque
Government officials have expressed scepticism that the cleric will honour his promise. They say he has gone back on his word several times.
Earlier, other mosque leaders warned of suicide bombings if security forces stormed the complex.Earlier, other mosque leaders warned of suicide bombings if security forces stormed the complex.
Many of those who surrendered said students were ready for "martyrdom".Many of those who surrendered said students were ready for "martyrdom".
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.
Some children are thought to be in the mosque, but Abdul Rashid reportedly refused to allow their release despite requests from parents.Some children are thought to be in the mosque, but Abdul Rashid reportedly refused to allow their release despite requests from parents.
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 colleges 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 colleges 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.
Have you been caught up in the violence? Have you witnessed the security operation? Please complete the form below.Have you been caught up in the violence? Have you witnessed the security operation? Please complete the form below.
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