This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6274518.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Blasts at radical Pakistan mosque Pakistan cleric offers surrender
(about 3 hours 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. The deputy leader of a rebel mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, has said he and hundreds of his militant followers are ready to surrender.
Separately, troops have breached the compound wall and are waiting for orders to proceed, officials say. Ghazi Abdul Rashid said they would lay down their arms if the security forces ceased firing and did not arrest them.
At least 19 people have been killed in three days of clashes at the mosque, where 300-400 students remain. But the conditions were dismissed by Pakistani government ministers.
The mosque's chief cleric, who was captured on Wednesday, has urged the militant students to surrender or flee. The offer to end the confrontation, in which 19 people have died, came after troops pounded the Red Mosque complex, breaching its wall in three places.
His deputy now says the students will leave the complex if the security forces cease fire and do not arrest them. Earlier, there were two large explosions near the mosque and the attached religious school.
However, the government has said the students will be taken into custody. Security officials said the blasts were probably caused by mortars belonging to the students going off by mistake.
The clerics have been campaigning for Islamic Sharia law in Islamabad. Both sides exchanged fire throughout the day, although the clashes have now stopped.
Students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution. 'Sick mother'
'Massive' siege Speaking in a telephone interview broadcast on Pakistani television, Abdul Rashid said he had told government mediator Chaudry Shujaat Hussain that his followers were ready to surrender.
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. "I am making this offer to save the lives of the students," he said.
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. But Abdul Rashid said he had insisted the authorities promise not to detain anyone who they could not prove belonged to any banned militant groups, or were not wanted for any crime. Students... should either leave, if they can, or surrender Maulana Abdul Aziz class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6270396.stm">In pictures: Mosque stand-off
Students... should either leave, if they can, or surrender Maulana Abdul Aziz class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6270396.stm">In pictures: Mosque stand-off "If they are linked to any banned organisation, it can be verified," he said
On Wednesday, the head of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught trying to leave the Red Mosque in a burka. "It can be looked into... those who are not should be let go."
In comments to state television on Thursday, he said he realised people inside the mosque could not hold out for long. Abdul Rashid said there had been a smear campaign to make people believe banned militant groups were operating in the mosque.
The cleric also demanded a guarantee of safety for himself and his family, saying he wanted to remain on the premises with his sick mother until they were able to move elsewhere.
Government officials have expressed scepticism that the cleric will honour his promise. They say he has gone back on his word several times.
His brother, the head of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz, earlier urged the militant students to surrender or flee.
Abdul Aziz, who was caught trying to leave the mosque in a burqa on Wednesday, 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.
"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. 'Human shields'
But the authorities' action is likely to upset people in the more conservative North-West Frontier province, where most of the students come from. The Pakistani government rejected Abdul Rashid's conditional offer to surrender and said the students would be taken into custody.
'Unconditional surrender' Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan said Abdul Rashid and the remaining students would have to lay down their arms unconditionally like all those who left the mosque over the past two 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.
All 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.
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 whom around 50-60 were hardcore militants.
He warned that the only way out for Abdul Aziz's younger brother, Ghazi Abdul Rashid, and his followers was "total unconditional surrender".
'Suicide bombers'
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.
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 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. "He should allow everybody, women, children to come out. He can come out with them... nobody is going to fire on them," he told Reuters.
Earlier, other mosque leaders warned of suicide bombings if security forces stormed the complex. "He should surrender himself... If there are cases against him, let the court decide."
Many of those who surrendered said students were ready for "martyrdom". The minister said Abdul Rashid was involved in a number of criminal cases.
But one student, Johar Ali, 20, said as he left that he had not seen any suicide bombers among those inside. Earlier, Mr Khan accused the red Mosque Islamists of using women and children as human shields.
Some children are thought to be in the mosque, but Abdul Rashid reportedly refused to allow their release despite requests from parents. "A large number of women and children are being held hostage by armed men in room," he told a press conference.
The 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 whom around 50-60 were hardcore militants.
Stand-off
The clerics and their followers have been campaigning for Islamic Sharia law in Islamabad.
Pakistani troops have restricted access to the mosque buildings
Students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.
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 its compound.
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.
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.
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.
Name
 Name