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'Mass exodus' at Pakistan mosque 'Mass exodus' at Pakistan mosque
(10 minutes later)
More than 1,000 students holed up inside Pakistan's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad have surrendered to security forces, officials say.More than 1,000 students holed up inside Pakistan's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad have surrendered to security forces, officials say.
Pakistani troops are tightening their grip around the mosque as negotiations for the surrender of militants still inside continue.Pakistani troops are tightening their grip around the mosque as negotiations for the surrender of militants still inside continue.
The troops have also set off a series of what they describe as warning blasts outside the mosque.The troops have also set off a series of what they describe as warning blasts outside the mosque.
At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at the complex.At least 16 people have died in recent clashes at the complex.
The mosque has been at the forefront of a vigilante campaign to enforce a form of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan. Several hundred students are still believed to be inside the mosque, which has been at the forefront of a vigilante campaign to enforce a form of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan.
'They want martyrdom'
Its students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.Its students have kidnapped police officers and people they accuse of involvement in "immoral" acts such as prostitution.
In pictures: After violence Profile: Red mosque Anger boils over at mosque In pictures: After violence Profile: Red mosque Anger boils over at mosque
The government said more than 1,200 students have surrendered so far, and that their details are being recorded at a camp set up near the mosque.The government said more than 1,200 students have surrendered so far, and that their details are being recorded at a camp set up near the mosque.
The BBC's Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that following the expiry of an 0900 local time (0500 GMT) deadline on Thursday, at least four more female students and one male student gave themselves up.The BBC's Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that following the expiry of an 0900 local time (0500 GMT) deadline on Thursday, at least four more female students and one male student gave themselves up.
A cleric who went in to negotiate the surrender of children inside the mosque told reporters that his request was turned down by the mosque's deputy head. Maryam Qayyeum, 15, one of those who surrendered, told the Associated Press news agency that those who were staying back in the mosque "only wanted martyrdom".
"They are happy. They don't want to go home," she said.
Another student, Johar Ali, 20, said he had not seen any suicide bombers among the students.
A cleric who went in to negotiate the surrender of children told reporters that his request was turned down by the mosque's deputy head.
An unspecified number of children are thought to be inside the mosque. Parents of at least 15 have asked the mosque authorities to release them.An unspecified number of children are thought to be inside the mosque. Parents of at least 15 have asked the mosque authorities to release them.
Pakistani security forces triggered off a series of explosions outside the mosque before dawn. Pakistani security forces set off a series of explosions outside the mosque before dawn.
The explosions are not thought to have caused any casualties.The explosions are not thought to have caused any casualties.
Cleric capturedCleric captured
There were about eight explosions over a period of several minutes, according to eyewitnesses.There were about eight explosions over a period of several minutes, according to eyewitnesses.
"All people in the mosque should surrender or they will be responsible for losses," said the police warning broadcast over loudspeakers, according to witnesses quoted by Reuters news agency."All people in the mosque should surrender or they will be responsible for losses," said the police warning broadcast over loudspeakers, according to witnesses quoted by Reuters news agency.
One of the mosque's senior clerics was captured by police as he tried to leave the building disguised as a woman.One of the mosque's senior clerics was captured by police as he tried to leave the building disguised as a woman.
Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught wearing the burqa, an all-enveloping sheet-like dress adopted by some Muslim women.Maulana Abdul Aziz was caught wearing the burqa, an all-enveloping sheet-like dress adopted by some Muslim women.
A security official told the AFP news agency the cleric was noticed because his height and his large stomach set him apart from the women he was with.A security official told the AFP news agency the cleric was noticed because his height and his large stomach set him apart from the women he was with.
Pakistani President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has long been criticised for failing to clamp down on the mosque's activities.Pakistani President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has long been criticised for failing to clamp down on the mosque's activities.
The latest confrontation reportedly started when security forces tried to place barriers around the mosque.The latest confrontation reportedly started when security forces tried to place barriers around the mosque.
On Tuesday, women students of one of two seminaries attached to the mosque protested in the street, while their male counterparts traded gunfire with security forces.On Tuesday, women students of one of two seminaries attached to the mosque protested in the street, while their male counterparts traded gunfire with security forces.
At least 16 people died in the violence and scores were hurt.At least 16 people died in the violence and scores were hurt.