WORLD / Asia-Pacific |
1,200 surrender to Pakistani authorities(Xinhua)Updated: 2007-07-05 02:24 A total of 1,200 male and female religious students of hard-line Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, have so far surrendered to Pakistani authorities in the capital city, an interior ministry spokesman said Wednesday. Pakistani Interior Ministry Spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema also said Imam of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz would face terrorism and murder charges. The official said the Lal Masjid issue would be ended soon. Maulana Abdul Aziz were arrested earlier by the security personnel deployed outside the mosque while attempting to escape in the guise of a female student wearing Burqa veil, according to officials. Pakistani government has said time for negotiation with management of Lal Masjid was over, and the writ of state will be maintained at all cost. Armed forces besieged the mosque after the government announced operation against the Lal Masjid early on Wednesday. Authorities called for surrender of religious personnel in the mosque, and asked for handover of personnel involved in snatching arms from and opening firing on security personnel at noon July 3. Firing broke out between Lal Masjid personnel and law enforcers Tuesday noon after a group of 100 religious students of the mosque encircled some policemen deployed nearby and snatched arms from them, according to officials. Pakistan's deputy information minister earlier Wednesday said so far at least 10 people killed and some 94 injured in the incident. |
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