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.

[Valin]

willing to fight till death

Your proposal is acceptable

[gandalftb]

The militants last stand is in the basement of the Jamia Hafsa which is the girls school, the missing girl hostages are all feared to be used as shields

[Billthedrill]

Willing to fight to the death and hiding behind girls. Brave fellas. BTT.

[gandalftb]

unconfirmed reports that the last stand militants are asking for safe passage in return for the girl hostages

[gandalftb]

Now:TWO SSG commandos teams have started entering the basement. Fighting in progress- 4 blasts have been reported

[gandalftb]

heavy fire

[waimea.man]

unconfirmed reports that the last stand militants are asking for safe passage in return for the girl hostages

These guys are really something.

[gandalftb]

50 more surrender

[gandalftb]

girl hostages have been shifted around in a running gunfight in the basement

[gandalftb]

ghazi still alive all gunfire has stopped

[gandalftb]

militants are running out of ammo

[waimea.man]

Gandalftb,
Thank you for these updates...

[gandalftb]

commandos went in without helmets or vests wearing student clothing to mix with the hostages, commandos are wearing gas masks, ethnic garb, dressed like militants....militants cornered

[gandalftb]

8 more children + 8 adults emerged out just now... they are in bad condition... injured

They were NOT from the group in the basement

They are from 1st & 2nd floor

[Shermy]

#93

Smart guys.

Maybe that’s the “second team” and they are corraling the girls to safety by ruses.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

they have told all media to get out and if they don't they will be shot.

A good approach with the enemy when they hide behind Press badges. This is wonderful reporting on your part. A terrible fight. I wonder if we would have the courage in the same circumstances? I'm afraid we are about to find out.

[gandalftb]

Hand grenades, rocket launchers being used,. last stand

[gandalftb]

Library is now under the control of the Army.

[blam]

Excellent reporting, thanks.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Bump Dat,,,they got some tuff goin’...