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Troops Storm Pakistan Mosque Compound

After fierce firefight, 20 children brought to safety

By J. Kelman,  Newser User

Posted Jul 9, 2007 11:10 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Pakistani military stormed the Red Mosque in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a week after the army surrounded the building. Peace negotiations broke down earlier in the day, the BBC reports, after the Islamic militants holding the building demanded full amnesty in exchange for the release of the hostages held inside.

Three soldiers and 20 militants have already been killed in the operation, which is ongoing. Twenty children were able to escape; it's estimated that hundreds more women, children, and students remain inside. But the government's return to violent tactics—after its brief flirtation with negotiation—may be exactly what the militants want. "My martyrdom is certain now," the mosque's leader told one reporter.

Ambulances are parked near the Lal masjid (Red Mosque) as fighting between militants and government forces erupted in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red Mosque on Tuesday, prompting a fierce battle with militants accused of holding about 150 hostages inside, officials said....
Ambulances are parked near the Lal masjid (Red Mosque) as fighting between militants and government forces erupted in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's...   (Associated Press)
Smoke rises from Lal masjid, or Red mosque, during heavy gunbattle between Pakistan troops and militants, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red Mosque on Tuesday, prompting a fierce fire fight with militants accused of holding about 150 hostages inside, officials said. (AP...
Smoke rises from Lal masjid, or Red mosque, during heavy gunbattle between Pakistan troops and militants, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red...   (Associated Press)
Family members of religious students who are inside the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) react as fighting between militants and government forces erupted in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red Mosque on Tuesday, prompting a fierce battle with militants accused of holding about...
Family members of religious students who are inside the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) react as fighting between militants and government forces erupted in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistan armys armored vehicle moves towards the forward positions at Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red Mosque on Tuesday, prompting a fierce fire fight with militants accused of holding about 150 hostages inside, officials said....
A Pakistan armys armored vehicle moves towards the forward positions at Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Troops stormed the compound of Islamabad's Red Mosque...   (Associated Press)
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NYT reports that two sides of the mosque "still facing stiff resistance"
New York Times

 
Pakistan

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