Siege of Lal Masjid
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (July 2007) |
| 2007 Lal Masjid clashes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Pakistani Security Forces (Police & Rangers) | Opposition students | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 16 killed | |||||||
The 2007 Lal Masjid clashes are occurring between the students and members of Lal Masjid in Islamabad and the Pakistani military.
Beginning: July 3, 2007
On July 3, 2007, gun battle erupted between the supporters of Lal Masjid and Pakistani security forces after six months of standoff between the two parties.[1] The clash began when some militants tried to occupy a nearby government building[1]. 150 students attacked a Government of Pakistan office near the mosque and took four officials as hostages [2]. Subsequently he called for attacks on the forces, and students of the Lal Masjid had taken over certain government posts and had attacked government buildings.
9 people, including mosque students, media persons, a Pakistan Rangers personnel and a businessman were killed while over 100 are injured in the incident.[3] The head of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz, was captured attempting to leave disguised in a burqa. [4]
July 4, 2007
Curfew: Authorities announced an indefinite 24 hours curfew in Sector G-6, where Lal Masjid is situated. This also had a command to shoot at site whosoever violates the curfew.
Deadlines: Government announced frequent deadlines to resolve the issue peacefully. The Pakistani government announced Rs. 5000 ($83; £41) for their free education and safe passage and their travel arrangements to their homes.[5]
1st Deadline: Government authorities announced first deadline for students and persons present inside the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque in English) to surrender unconditionally by 1530 Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
2nd Deadline: The Government further extended deadline by half an hour i.e. 1600 PST.
3rd Deadline: A further extension was observed till 1800 PST.
4th Deadline: Fourth deadline was announced till 1930 PST.
5th Deadline: The authorities further relaxed deadline till 2130 PST.
Meanwhile about 1000 male students and about 400 female students of Jamia Hafsa surrendered before the authorities on July 4, 2007.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
References
- ^ a b "Fierce gunbattles rock capital". The Dawn.
- ^ more than 20 killed in Pakistan's Lal Masjid clashes Times of India - 3 Jul 2007
- ^ "Day-long pitched battles leave nine dead". The News.
- ^ "Blasts at radical Pakistan mosque". BBC News.
- ^ updates.asp?id=25397 "Lal Masjid: Over 300 female, male students surrender". The News.
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