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Pakistan Retakes Army HQ, Frees Hostages

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 11, 2009 5:40 AM CDT
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(AP) – Pakistani commandos freed dozens of hostages held by militants at the army's own headquarters today, ending a bloody, 22-hour drama that embarrassed the nation's military as it plans a new offensive against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. At least 19 people died in the standoff, including three captives and eight of the militants, who wore army fatigues in the audacious assault. The rescue operation began before dawn, ultimately freeing 42 hostages, the military said.

One attacker, described as the militants' ringleader, was captured as he wounded himself by setting off explosives he was carrying. Five heavily armed militants took the hostages after they and about four other assailants attacked the headquarters' main gate yesterday, killing six soldiers, including a brigadier and a lieutenant colonel. The gunmen arrived in a white van that reportedly had army license plates. It was the third major attack in Pakistan in a week.

Pakistani army troops return back to their base camp after conducting an operation on their own army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.
Pakistani army troops return back to their base camp after conducting an operation on their own army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Pakistani police officers guard the main road leading to the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
Pakistani police officers guard the main road leading to the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Pakistani soldiers stand in front of the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.
Pakistani soldiers stand in front of the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Pakistani army troops return back to their base camp after conducting an operation on their own army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.
Pakistani army troops return back to their base camp after conducting an operation on their own army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Oct 11, 2009 6:40 AM CDT
I am sure it is tied into their faith somehow, probably started at birth, and raised on whatever brand of hate the so called clerics are pushing
divetrader
Oct 11, 2009 2:23 AM CDT
What the hell are the Taliban using as their selling point? Come join us...help us create chaos in the world. And die! Or is it, you will have many virgins when you die...lord knows you aint gonna get a nut now.

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Taliban • Pakistan • Rawalpindi • al-Qaeda

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