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Pakistani soldiers storm mosque Pakistani soldiers storm mosque
(40 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 seven soldiers have been killed. The army says about 50 militants and eight 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.
This is naked aggression. My martyrdom is certain now Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi Send your views In pictures: Assault startsThis is naked aggression. My martyrdom is certain now Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi Send your views In pictures: Assault starts
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.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the military operation is a gamble for President Pervez Musharraf who risks a backlash from supporters of those inside the mosque.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the military operation is a gamble for President Pervez Musharraf who risks a backlash from supporters of those inside the mosque.
In recent days the army has redeployed thousands of troops in north-western Pakistan where pro-Taleban militants opposed to President Musharraf have been carrying out a string of attacks said to be linked to the mosque siege.In recent days the army has redeployed thousands of troops in north-western Pakistan where pro-Taleban militants opposed to President Musharraf have been carrying out a string of attacks said to be linked to the mosque siege.
'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.
Profile: Red Mosque href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6281228.stm">Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi Profile: Red Mosque href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6503477.stm">Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi
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.
Later the army said that about 50 militants had surrendered to government forces.Later the army said that about 50 militants had surrendered to government forces.
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 sealed off the mosque from journalists and have also kept them away from the hospitals where the wounded are being taken.Security forces sealed off the mosque from journalists and have also kept them away from the hospitals where the wounded are being taken.
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.
'Hardcore terrorists''Hardcore terrorists'
Talks reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.Talks reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.
It is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosqueIt is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosque
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.
Religious affairs minister Ejaz-ul-Haq, one of the negotiators, said women and children had been locked up on two floors of the Jamia Hafsa religious school, which is attached to the mosque.Religious affairs minister Ejaz-ul-Haq, one of the negotiators, 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.