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Pakistan Mosque Battle Kills 9

Islamic students clash with security forces in shootout; 140 wounded

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2007 4:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – A heavy gun battle between Pakistan's government and armed students at a radical mosque has left nine dead, the BBC reports. The melee lasted throughout the day as soldiers traded fire with militant students at Islamabad's controversial Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque. Among the dead were three female students, a soldier, and a journalist.

A moderate Islamist politician finally brokered a ceasefire. Tension had been growing between President Musharraf's government and Lal Masjid for months, as students at the connected madrassas kidnapped police and stockpiled weapons. Musharraf has been reluctant to crack down on the mosque for fear of retaliatory suicide bombers.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Angry religious students damage and burn vehicles during their clash with police outside the Lal mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Security forces clashed with Islamic students which... (Associated Press)

Angry religious students damage vehicle after a clash outside the Lal mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Security forces clashed with Islamic students which killed nine people, including... (Associated Press)

Pakistani religious students escape from a tear gas fired by authorities outside the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Shooting broke out the radical mosque in... (Associated Press)

A religious student takes a drink during a clash outside the Lal mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Security forces clashed with Islamic students which killed nine people, including... (Associated Press)

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Pakistan Mosque Battle Kills 9