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Pakistani soldiers storm mosque Pakistani soldiers storm mosque
(20 minutes later)
Troops in Pakistan's city of Islamabad have stormed the Red Mosque, after talks with radicals broke down.Troops in Pakistan's city of Islamabad have stormed the Red Mosque, after talks with radicals broke down.
"It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," said military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad."It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," said military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad.
Loud explosions and gunfire were heard as the soldiers entered the compound shortly after the operation began. The army said at least eight militants were killed in the operation, as loud explosions and gunfire were heard.
Twenty children escaped from the mosque where women are also being held. Two soldiers and an unknown number of militants are reported killed. Twenty children escaped from the mosque, where women are also being held. Two soldiers are reported killed and some 20 others injured.
The military operation began at about 0400 (2300 GMT Monday).The military operation began at about 0400 (2300 GMT Monday).
The troops entered the compound and exchanged fire with the militants holed up inside.The troops entered the compound and exchanged fire with the militants holed up inside.
It is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosqueIt is an anxious wait for those with relatives inside the mosque
Local medical officials later said 20 soldiers were injured, and two had died of their wounds after being taken to local hospitals. The army said at least eight militants were killed and another 15 injured.
The army says it is meeting particularly strong resistance from militants in the basement, reports the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene. Local medical officials said 20 government troops were injured, and two had died of their wounds after being taken to local hospitals.
Those inside the mosque are resisting with hand grenades, light machine guns, petrol bombs and other weapons, and the army says it expects the operation will last another four hours. The army says it has taken over the building's roof.
There is now intermittent gunfire around the mosque, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad. However, it is meeting particularly strong resistance from militants in the basement, reports the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene.
She says ambulances are waiting nearby to help any wounded. Those inside the mosque are using hand grenades, light machine guns, petrol bombs and other weapons, and the army says it expects the operation will last another four hours.
Ambulances are waiting nearby to help any wounded.
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.
Doctors told the BBC that there were fatalities among the militants, but the army were not at present allowing the bodies to be taken out of the mosque.
'Very disappointed''Very disappointed'
Talks aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.Talks aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully reportedly broke down over the militants' demand for an amnesty for all inside the mosque.
The government wants to detain a number of people on a wanted list, and also a number of foreigners whom it says are inside.The government wants to detain a number of people on a wanted list, and also a number of foreigners whom it says are inside.
"I am returning very disappointed," said former PM Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, after talks conducted by loudspeaker and mobile phone with mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi."I am returning very disappointed," said former PM Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, after talks conducted by loudspeaker and mobile phone with mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi.
"We offered him a lot, but he wasn't ready to come on our terms," said Mr Hussain."We offered him a lot, but he wasn't ready to come on our terms," said Mr Hussain.
Students at the Red Mosque and its attached religious schools have been defying the authorities for several months in their campaign for Sharia law in the capital.Students at the Red Mosque and its attached religious schools have been defying the authorities for several months in their campaign for Sharia law in the capital.
Security forces began their siege of the mosque a week ago, not long after students there abducted seven Chinese workers they accused of running a brothel.Security forces began their siege of the mosque a week ago, not long after students there abducted seven Chinese workers they accused of running a brothel.
On Monday, three Chinese workers were killed in Peshawar in an attack said to be linked to the unrest in Islamabad.On Monday, three Chinese workers were killed in Peshawar in an attack said to be linked to the unrest in Islamabad.
There is speculation that Islamic militants may be targeting Chinese people in Pakistan.There is speculation that Islamic militants may be targeting Chinese people in Pakistan.
Women and childrenWomen and children
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".
At least 21 people have died since fighting erupted when the army surrounded the mosque last Tuesday, including an army commander shot dead inside the mosque on Sunday.At least 21 people have died since fighting erupted when the army surrounded the mosque last Tuesday, including an army commander shot dead inside the mosque on Sunday.
In pictures: Siege scenes Profile: Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid GhaziIn pictures: Siege scenes Profile: Red Mosque Profile: Abdul Rashid Ghazi
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.
Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi has denied the presence of any banned extremist groups.Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi has denied the presence of any banned extremist groups.
He says those inside are students of his religious school and he is in charge.He says those inside are students of his religious school and he is in charge.
Abdul Rashid Ghazi has said as many as 1,800 followers remained in the mosque, although this cannot be verified.Abdul Rashid Ghazi has said as many as 1,800 followers remained in the mosque, although this cannot 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.
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.