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Pakistani soldiers storm mosque Pakistani soldiers storm mosque
(20 minutes later)
Troops in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, have stormed a controversial mosque after talks with hardline Islamists inside broke down.Troops in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, have stormed a controversial mosque after talks with hardline Islamists inside broke down.
The army says 40 militants and three soldiers have been killed.The army says 40 militants and three soldiers have been killed.
"It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," said military spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad."It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," said military spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad.
Students at the mosque and its attached religious schools have been defying the authorities for months in their campaign for Sharia law in the capital.Students at the mosque and its attached religious schools have been defying the authorities for months in their campaign for Sharia law in the capital.
They have kidnapped policemen as well as people they consider to be involved in immoral, un-Islamic activities.They have kidnapped policemen as well as people they consider to be involved in immoral, un-Islamic activities.
Security forces began a full-scale siege of the mosque last week, not long after mosque students abducted seven Chinese workers they accused of running a brothel.Security forces began a full-scale siege of the mosque last week, not long after mosque students abducted seven Chinese workers they accused of running a brothel.
'Tough resistance''Tough resistance'
Loud explosions and gunfire were heard coming from the mosque area for several hours from early on Tuesday.Loud explosions and gunfire were heard coming from the mosque area for several hours from early on Tuesday.
The military says that 20 children escaped from the mosque, where women are also being held.The military says that 20 children escaped from the mosque, where women are also being held.
It is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosqueIt is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosque
Gen Arshad said the security forces now control 70% of the mosque complex, which include a religious school (madrassa) for female students.Gen Arshad said the security forces now control 70% of the mosque complex, which include a religious school (madrassa) for female students.
"There is still a significant area which has yet to be cleared. There is still resistance.""There is still a significant area which has yet to be cleared. There is still resistance."
A total of 24 militants have been captured during the operation so far, he said, adding that the forces had still not "encountered" any women.A total of 24 militants have been captured during the operation so far, he said, adding that the forces had still not "encountered" any women.
The military operation began at about 0400 (2300 GMT Monday).The military operation began at about 0400 (2300 GMT Monday).
The troops - attacking from three directions - entered the compound and exchanged fire with the militants.The troops - attacking from three directions - entered the compound and exchanged fire with the militants.
The army says it has taken over the building's roof, but is meeting "tough resistance" from militants in the basement.The army says it has taken over the building's roof, but is meeting "tough resistance" from militants in the basement.
Those inside the mosque are using hand grenades, light machine guns, petrol bombs and other weapons, the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan reports.Those inside the mosque are using hand grenades, light machine guns, petrol bombs and other weapons, the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan reports.
Security forces have sealed off the hospitals where the wounded are being taken, and prohibited journalists from entering them.Security forces have sealed off the hospitals where the wounded are being taken, and prohibited journalists from entering them.
It is not clear exactly how many people were left inside the mosque when the assault began.It is not clear exactly how many people were left inside the mosque when the assault began.
Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi earlier told Geo TV that his mother had been wounded by gunshot.Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi earlier told Geo TV that his mother had been wounded by gunshot.
"The government is using full force. This is naked aggression. My martyrdom is certain now," Mr Ghazi said."The government is using full force. This is naked aggression. My martyrdom is certain now," Mr Ghazi said.
'Very disappointed''Very disappointed'
The talks aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.The talks aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.
href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6278090.stm">In pictures: Assault starts Profile: Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6286628.stm">In pictures: Assault starts Profile: Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi
The government wants to detain a number of people who are on a wanted list, and also a number of foreigners whom it says are inside.The government wants to detain a number of people who are on a wanted list, and also a number of foreigners whom it says are inside.
"We offered him a lot, but he wasn't ready to come on our terms," said former PM Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, after talks conducted by loudspeaker and mobile phone with Mr Ghazi."We offered him a lot, but he wasn't ready to come on our terms," said former PM Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, after talks conducted by loudspeaker and mobile phone with Mr Ghazi.
'Hardcore terrorists''Hardcore terrorists'
Religious affairs minister Ejaz-ul-Haq, one of the negotiators who tried to reach an agreement, has described those in charge at the mosque as "hardened terrorists".Religious affairs minister Ejaz-ul-Haq, one of the negotiators who tried to reach an agreement, has described those in charge at the mosque as "hardened terrorists".
Mr ul-Haq said women and children had been locked up on two floors of the Jamia Hafsa religious school, which is attached to the mosque.Mr ul-Haq said women and children had been locked up on two floors of the Jamia Hafsa religious school, which is attached to the mosque.
As many as five "hardcore terrorists" were inside the mosque, he added, saying that one person killed on the first day of the siege belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad, an outlawed radical Muslim organisation which has been linked to al-Qaeda.As many as five "hardcore terrorists" were inside the mosque, he added, saying that one person killed on the first day of the siege belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad, an outlawed radical Muslim organisation which has been linked to al-Qaeda.
Mr Ghazi denied the presence of any banned extremist groups. He said those inside were students of his religious school.Mr Ghazi denied the presence of any banned extremist groups. He said those inside were students of his religious school.
While he said as many as 1,800 followers had remained in the mosque, this figure could not be verified.While he said as many as 1,800 followers had remained in the mosque, this figure could not be verified.
Earlier, Mr ul-Haq said up to 250 militants - including foreign radicals - were leading the fighting.Earlier, Mr ul-Haq said up to 250 militants - including foreign radicals - were leading the fighting.