Click to play videoNew Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his first comments on the Lal Masjid confrontation in Islamabad said that terror is a problem common to us all. He also said the current tension is Pakistan's internal problem.
Captured Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Aziz will be in police custody for the next seven days. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said he is a proclaimed offender and there are cases against him.
Aziz has appealed to his wife and his brother Ghazi to give themselves up but they are still holding out inside.
Cobra helicopter gunships overhead armoured vehicles and heavily armed paramilitary forces on the streets all around the posh G6 area of the city.
The G6 area is where the Lal Masjid is located where some of the most influential people in Pakistan live.
Within 1200 metre radius of the Masjid is the office of the ISI and not very far away in the diplomatic quarter is the Indian High Commission.
The tension and firing has compelled many high commission employees to stay at home.
The area especially around the walls of the Lal Masjid has seen sporadic fire being exchanged throughout the day. There were as many as eight blasts on Thursday morning apparently set off by security forces. Loudspeakers blare a constant message that all inside must come out.
Pak Interior Minster Aftab Sherpao said, “There is no dialogue with Ghazi at this point nor will there be any. He must surrender unconditionally. “
The captured head cleric of the Masjid Maulana Aziz claims as many as 600 girl students and many armed men.
Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Aziz said, “At this moment it is very difficult for the people who are trapped inside to get out if they can escape they should.”
Some students who fled the mosque say there are dead bodies lying inside.
Jamia Hafsa student Bano said, “Two Mujahideen brothers were martyred last night. Then an old lady who died on the first day and a girl who was shot when she went to the roof.”
The cleric has appealed to his followers inside to give themselves up. His wife and brother have said they will fight on. A military operation to end the stand off appears inevitable.
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