Security forces storm Lal Masjid, 40 militants killed

Islamabad, July 10 (UNI) In a decisive action to flush out militants holed up inside the Lal Masjid here, security forces stormed into the mosque complex at the crack of dawn today, killing at least 50 radicals and injuring many others.

Three security personnel were also killed and 15 injured in operation 'Silence' launched by the Pakistan army to clear the mosque of the radicals after talks between the government negogiator and firebrand leader cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi to end the week-long standoff failed.

Director General Inter Public Service Relations Maj Gen Waheed Arshad told mediapersons after the operation was launched around 0400 hrs that the security personnel had entered the mosque complex from three sides.

The militants were firing from the basements, he said, adding besides machine guns they were using grenades, rocket launchers and petrol bombs to offer stiff resistance.

Assuming that the operation might last another three to four hours, Maj Gen Arshad said 25 students have managed to escape the compound since the start of the operation and were rescued by the Rangers.

He said it was likely that some portions of the mosque were damaged in the firing as the militants were using the minarets as trenches.

The showdown on July 3 between the government and radical clerics took an ugly turn when the government forces clashed with the militant students at the Masjid, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed several people and left many injured.

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