13 killed in suicide attack, violence continues

ISLAMABAD, July 27 (UNI) At least 13 people, including seven policemen, were killed and 50 injured in a suicide bomb attack in a restaurant near Lal Masjid here, bringing back memories of violence yet again in the aftermath of 'Operation Silence'.

Islamabad Chief Commissioner Khalid Pervez confirmed that seven policemen were killed in the latest blast near Apara market.

According to eyewitness accounts, uniforms and caps of policemen were scattered all around. ''It was a very big blast'', one eyewitness said.

The suicide attack came shortly after police fired teargas to disperse hundreds of people who laid siege to the Lal Masjid and stalled the government's move to organise 'Friday Prayers' in the mosque which opened for the first time after the Army action on July 10 to flush out militants holed up inside.

Police officials said at least 500-700 people, mostly youths, surrounded the mosque premises, protesting against the July 10 'Operation Silence'.

At least two people were injured in the firing and five arrested.

'' The standoff between the radicals and the riot police at the mosque is still on'', DSP Islamabad Jamil Hashmi said.

Meanwhile, Islamabad resident Sher Bahadur excavated the bones of at least two people from the mosque and brought them outside.

At least 2000 people surrounded the mosque premises today and demanded that ousted Head Cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi be restored to his position.

Many youngsters were seen trying to change the colour of the mosque from white to red and shouting slogans against President Pervez Musharraf.

UNI