Pakistan army buries mosque dead

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8397598.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The funerals of Pakistani army officers killed in a Taliban attack on a mosque have been held in Rawalpindi.

Forty people died when militants began shooting, throwing grenades and detonating suicide bombs on Friday.

Nine officers, including a major general, a brigadier, two lieutenant colonels and two majors were killed.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani and other top military officials attended the funerals of three victims.

Maj Gen Umer Bilal, the son of a top military commander and a third victim were buried on Saturday.

Seventeen children and 10 other civilians were also among the dead.

'United'

Soldiers were stationed on the lawns of the venue as well as a nearby rooftop during the funeral prayers for Gen Bilal, AFP news agency reported.

Security was tight, with grieving relatives having to enter the funeral ground through metal detectors and by walking past sniffer dogs, Reuters news agency reported.

According to an army statement, Gen Kayani, who met some relatives, said: "The nation, including the army, stands united in sharing their grief.

"Pakistan is our motherland. It is the bastion of Islam and we live for the glory of Islam and Pakistan.

"Our faith, resolve and pride in our religion and in our country is an asset, which is further reinforced after each terrorist incident."

Other army victims were returned to their home towns to be buried.