Radicals refuse to surrender in Pakistan mosque standoff
The standoff at the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, entered its third day Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, as Islamic militants holed up in the complex rejected government calls for an unconditional surrender.
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Pakistan mosque students 'will be martyred'
By Isambard Wilkinson and Matthew Moore
The leader of the students besieged inside a Pakistan mosque has said his followers are ready for "martyrdom", dashing hopes of an imminent solution to the stand-off.
Abdul Rashid Ghazi said he would not accept an unconditional surrender, insisting his radical Islamists would only lay down their arms if it was guaranteed that they would not be arrested.
"We will not surrender. We will be martyred, but we will not surrender," Ghazi told a Pakistani television station. "We are more determined now."
Government troops appear reluctant to mount a final offensive against the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, for fear of alienating public opinion. Liberal opponents of General Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president, have been impressed by his restrained handling of the crisis.
Security forces have been shelling the walls and ceilings of buildings at the compound in an attempt to wear down those inside and force a negotiated settlement.
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Pertinent Links:
1) Radicals refuse to surrender in Pakistan mosque standoff
2) Pakistan mosque students 'will be martyred'
Friday, July 06, 2007
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