The deputy leader of Pakistan's radical Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) Abdul Rashid Ghazi has said that he and several hundreds militants and students holed up in the complex would surrender provided the security forces did not storm the complex.The about-face came as darkness fell in Islamabad after Pakistani security forces launched a full commando operation and blew holes in some of the outer walls.
Speaking to local television, Ghazi said he was willing to hand over the mosque and seminaries to the government's federal religious board but that he and his family wanted to remain on the premises.
Nineteen people have been killed in three days of clashes at the mosque, where several hundred students remain. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao Thursday said women were forcibly held inside Lal Masjid by armed students of the mosque. He told a news conference that some 50 to 60 hardcore armed students were still inside the mosque and seminary complex and they have hand grenades, petrol bombs and automatic guns.
A total of 1,146 students - 745 male and 401 female - have come out and surrendered before the law enforcing agencies until 2 p.m. local time, according to officials. Sherpao ruled out any talks with the Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, deputy chief of Lal Masjid, who still remained inside the mosque.
His brother Maulana Abdul Aziz was captured on Wednesday as he tried to escape the mosque clad in a burqa. Government officials have asked for total and unconditional surrender of the Lal Masjid personnel.
Earlier, after the passing of the deadline given to the Lal Masjid administration for surrender, security forces had cordoned off the mosque complex in Islamabad.
The parents of female students in Lal Masjid, have appealed the president to further extend the deadline.
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