Pakistan troops storm Islamabad mosque: military

afp ^ | 09/07/2007 | afp

[mdittmar]

Pakistani troops early Tuesday launched a massive operation against a cleric and his armed men in a besieged Islamabad mosque after negotiations failed, a top military official told AFP.

"The troops are now inside the mosque, they are at the roof top," top military spokesman Major General Arshad Waheed told AFP.

"It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," he said, adding that the militants were putting up stiff resistance.

The talks between the Pakistani government and a cleric holed up with armed men at the mosque failed early Tuesday after he refused to release women and children allegedly held hostage, an official said.

Top government negotiator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain announced the failure after 11 hours of talks, which was followed immediately by heavy firing and two massive blasts.

"After 11 hours of negotiations we are deeply disappointed that the talks did not succeed," he told a news conference near the Red Mosque.

[gandalftb]

PTV announcing that the final surrender deal failed because Ghazi wanted safe passage for just a few foreign jihadis. Ghazi was also offered a safe passage; to save the lives of women and children.

PA/Mushy would not agree on safe passage for any foreigners. Notice they are not referring to them as Afghanis, but foreigners, high value foreigners.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Found this at the Fourth Rail:

[Hoosier-Daddy]

They’re hardly ever “High Value Foreigners” as the really High Value ones get out before the storm. I pray this is not the case.

[gandalftb]

reporting many booby traps and mines to clear, great fear of suicide bombers hiding

[gandalftb]

The jihadist might want to review their decision to shoot at Mushy while he was heading to Islamabad to manage the siege. I think that sealed the fate of the foreigners.

The PA got some hot intel over the weekend because this started out as a police standoff and within 24 hours 10,000+ troops showed up.

I smell big rats in the woodpile.

[gandalftb]

Geez, now Ghazi is reported to be locked in a room with the last stand jihadis in the basement. Commandos preparing another "final" assault.

the fog of war...

[csvset]

reporting many booby traps and mines to clear, great fear of suicide bombers hiding

No telling what the crazy SOBs have planned. A few remotely operated EOD/IED bots would probably come in handy and save some lives.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Hopefully there is no “rabbit-hole” outside...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sounds like the stuff that went on in Chechna....(sp?)

[gandalftb]

another report that ghazi is barricaded in the basement with his “home boys”

[gandalftb]

now the courtyard fire is getting streaks of gray/white smoke looks like the fire fighters are finally able to get some water on it

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Time to starve them out....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

How close are you to this?

Or how are you seeing this...?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hal9000 posted an AFP report that says bodies everywhere :

Pakistan - Attack in progress at Lal Masjid mosque - "Corpses everywhere"

[gandalftb]

Wow, they are announcing the names of the dead and injured soldiers, and describing the injuries of the wounded. How could their families be notified so soon, pretty insensitive.

Translating: Captain Sahid Farooq, right side foot injury, chest wound gunshot....... Yikes, they even told what hospital he was in CMH, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, etc. etc. They just described about 12 wounded. Incredible.

[gandalftb]

Ghazi has been traced to one room in the basement, foreigners inside. Only a couple of hours ago during surrender negotiations was the first time that Ghazi made a mention of foreign militants and wanted the deal to include their safety as well.

[gandalftb]

okay, more explosions, small arms, very scattered and intermittent

[gandalftb]

4 or 5 explosions in a row, very crisp and crackly

[gandalftb]

all quiet

[gandalftb]

confirmed, ghazi has surrendered and is arrested