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'Foreign fighters' in Red Mosque 'Foreign fighters' in Red Mosque
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's religious affairs minister has said foreign Islamic militants are among those inside a besieged mosque in the capital, Islamabad.Pakistan's religious affairs minister has said foreign Islamic militants are among those inside a besieged mosque in the capital, Islamabad.
Ejaz-ul-Haq said "terrorists... wanted within and outside Pakistan" are fighting the army, which has surrounded the Red Mosque since last Tuesday.Ejaz-ul-Haq said "terrorists... wanted within and outside Pakistan" are fighting the army, which has surrounded the Red Mosque since last Tuesday.
An army commander was shot dead by students inside the mosque on Sunday.An army commander was shot dead by students inside the mosque on Sunday.
The mosque's leader, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, said he and his followers would commit suicide rather than surrender.The mosque's leader, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, said he and his followers would commit suicide rather than surrender.
At least 20 people have been killed since the stand-off began.At least 20 people have been killed since the stand-off began.
Mr Ghazi told the BBC as many as 1,800 followers remain in the Lal Masjid mosque, although this cannot be verified.Mr Ghazi told the BBC as many as 1,800 followers remain in the Lal Masjid mosque, although this cannot be verified.
'Surrender or die''Surrender or die'
Speaking at a news conference, Mr ul-Haq said up to 250 militants - including foreign radicals - were leading the fighting.Speaking at a news conference, Mr ul-Haq said up to 250 militants - including foreign radicals - were leading the fighting.
In pictures: Siege scenes Press welcomes tactics Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid GhaziIn pictures: Siege scenes Press welcomes tactics Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi
He said between two and five of them were wanted in connection with "high-profile cases".He said between two and five of them were wanted in connection with "high-profile cases".
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, who is in Islamabad, says there are reports that militants from an outlawed radical Muslim organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad, are in actual control inside the mosque.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, who is in Islamabad, says there are reports that militants from an outlawed radical Muslim organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad, are in actual control inside the mosque.
Members of the group have been involved in several failed attempts on the life of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and it has also been linked to al-Qaeda.Members of the group have been involved in several failed attempts on the life of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and it has also been linked to al-Qaeda.
On Saturday, President Musharraf told the students they had no option but to surrender.On Saturday, President Musharraf told the students they had no option but to surrender.
"We have been patient. I want to say to the ones who have been left inside: they should come out and surrender, and if they don't, I am saying this here and now: they will be killed," he said."We have been patient. I want to say to the ones who have been left inside: they should come out and surrender, and if they don't, I am saying this here and now: they will be killed," he said.
More than 1,000 supporters left last week under mounting pressure from security forces, although only about 20 have left since Friday.More than 1,000 supporters left last week under mounting pressure from security forces, although only about 20 have left since Friday.
No powerNo power
The commander who died on Sunday was in charge of an operation to blow holes in the mosque compound walls to enable civilians to escape. Lt Col Haroon Islam, who died on Sunday, was in charge of an operation to blow holes in the mosque compound walls to enable civilians to escape.
Water and power to the mosque have been cut off and food is said to be getting scarce. Col Islam was shot dead by students inside the mosqueWater and power to the mosque have been cut off and food is said to be getting scarce.
Our correspondent says he has heard intermittent gunfire in the area and the boom of heavy weapons.Our correspondent says he has heard intermittent gunfire in the area and the boom of heavy weapons.
An increased military presence on the streets, combined with the refusal to let a delegation of Islamic figures through to the mosque, suggests that the government is now closing the door to negotiation, our correspondent adds.An increased military presence on the streets, combined with the refusal to let a delegation of Islamic figures through to the mosque, suggests that the government is now closing the door to negotiation, our correspondent adds.