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Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque | Clashes erupt at Pakistan mosque |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least seven people have been killed in clashes between security forces and militant students at a mosque in the Pakistani capital, officials say. | |
A soldier, two policemen and two students are among the dead. | A soldier, two policemen and two students are among the dead. |
After several hours of shooting outside the controversial Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) a ceasefire was negotiated. | After several hours of shooting outside the controversial Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) a ceasefire was negotiated. |
Armed students at the mosque and religious schools linked to it have defied the authorities for months in a campaign for Islamic Sharia law. | Armed students at the mosque and religious schools linked to it have defied the authorities for months in a campaign for Islamic Sharia law. |
The mosque and the two madrassas (religious schools) attached to it - one for men, the other for women - have been at the centre of a number of high-profile incidents. | |
These include the kidnapping of police and people the mosque's leaders say are involved in immoral activities such as prostitution. | |
Injured | Injured |
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan who is outside the mosque says the ceasefire was negotiated by a politician from the MMA, a coalition of Islamic parties. | The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan who is outside the mosque says the ceasefire was negotiated by a politician from the MMA, a coalition of Islamic parties. |
Police and doctors say two policemen, one soldier, two students and a passer-by were killed. A cameraman filming the violence also died. | Police and doctors say two policemen, one soldier, two students and a passer-by were killed. A cameraman filming the violence also died. |
Other reports put the death toll at more than 10. | Other reports put the death toll at more than 10. |
In pictures: Mosque violence Profile: Red mosque | In pictures: Mosque violence Profile: Red mosque |
At the height of the violence, regular police and paramilitary units ringing the mosque compound were replaced by what appeared to be special forces, our correspondent says. | At the height of the violence, regular police and paramilitary units ringing the mosque compound were replaced by what appeared to be special forces, our correspondent says. |
Ambulances and journalists were told to move further away from the scene. | Ambulances and journalists were told to move further away from the scene. |
Large groups of students - mostly armed with sticks and petrol bombs, but some with guns and wearing masks - have been patrolling around the mosque. | Large groups of students - mostly armed with sticks and petrol bombs, but some with guns and wearing masks - have been patrolling around the mosque. |
The first confirmed death on Tuesday - of a paramilitary soldier - was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students. | The first confirmed death on Tuesday - of a paramilitary soldier - was the first fatality in the prolonged stand-off between the authorities and the students. |
A senior paramilitary official, Masha Allah, told reporters outside the Lal Masjid that the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque". | A senior paramilitary official, Masha Allah, told reporters outside the Lal Masjid that the soldier had been "killed in the firing from inside the mosque". |
Doctors at a nearby hospital later said two students had also succumbed to their gunshot injuries. | Doctors at a nearby hospital later said two students had also succumbed to their gunshot injuries. |
The students say scores of people from the mosque have been affected by the tear gas. | The students say scores of people from the mosque have been affected by the tear gas. |
Doctors confirmed they were treating about 60 people suffering the effects of tear gas, the Associated Press news agency reported. Several students had bullet wounds, doctors said. | Doctors confirmed they were treating about 60 people suffering the effects of tear gas, the Associated Press news agency reported. Several students had bullet wounds, doctors said. |
'Security links' | |
Critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital. | Critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital. |
President Musharraf has previously said security forces cannot raid the mosque for fear of reprisal suicide attacks. | |
BBC correspondents say it is thought the mosque has powerful friends in the security services, which has prevented the authorities from taking action. | |
But the fact that people have now been killed in the stand-off suggests the situation may be turning against the mosque leaders, our correspondents say. |