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Death Toll in Red Mosque Siege Tops 80

Commandos clear compound after 8-day standoff, 35-hour battle

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2007 2:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Soldiers completed the takeover of the Red Mosque early today, removing the final militants who had occupied the Islamabad compound during an 8-day siege. At least 80 were killed and 33 wounded in the past week, including 50 radicals and 10 soldiers in the climactic 35-hour final assault. "Now it's mopping up," said Pakistan's PM.

A general on the scene told the AP his commandos were still searching for mines on the property, where extremists had holed up with hundreds of hostages. The civilians escaped before and during the start of the military assault, which spells more trouble for Pervez Musharraf; opposition lawmakers seized on the situation as yet another reason they want the president to resign.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Pakistan army commandos prepare to storm the Lal Masjid or Red Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Pakistani commandos cornered the last die-hard militants at Islamabad's mosque and... (Associated Press)

An Pakistani Army soldier keeps eye on the area near Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Pakistani troops cornered the last remaining militants and combed the... (Associated Press)

Pakistani religious students react over the army operation against Islamic militants holding Islamabd's Lal Masjid or Red Mosque, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in Multan, Pakistan. Troops attempted to flush... (Associated Press)

Pakistani protesters shout slogans against President Pervez Musharraf's government, to condemn the operation against militants who were holding Islamabad's Red mosque, in Pashawar, Pakistan, Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

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Death Toll in Red Mosque Siege Tops 80