Pak: Sympathisers of radicals enter Lal Masjid

Islamabad, July 27: More than 500 sympathisers of radicals entered the Lal Masjid here today and prevented 'Friday Prayers' as a mark of protest against the July 11 'Operation Silence' undertaken by the Army to flush out hardliners from the pro-Taliban mosque.

Police officials said most of the people inside the mosque were students.

The mosque was opened for the first time after the Army's action earlier this month, in which nearly 75 radicals were killed.

According to eyewitnesses, some 2000 people had surrounded the mosque. They said they would not allow 'Friday Prayers' until ousted Head Cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi came back.

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

Finally, the 'Friday Prayers' were conducted outside the mosque.

Islamabad Chief Commissioner Kahlid Pervaiz said all arrangements were made for holding 'Friday Prayers' in the masjid but some people indulged in rowdyism.

Talking to Geo News, he said no one was arrested and security personnel had been prohibited from intervening.

UNI