Pakistan troops storm Islamabad mosque: military

afp ^ | 09/07/2007 | afp

[Shermy]

Thanks for the update

Could you clarify something?

Were the reports of 150 children and women hostages “old” news?

[gandalftb]

Now reporting that there are intermittent explosions, apparently the terrorists have built bunkers inside and are returning fire from the bunkers.

Another reporter is saying the official casualty is low for the size of the complex and the weapons being used. he saying “this is an underestimate” there could be much more casualties.

[gandalftb]

40 to 60 hard core militants, including Uzbeks, Saudis, chechens, estimates of hostages are 300 min. to 850 max, mostly women and children.

[Abigail Adams]

“...to try and negotiate...” Should be try TO negotiate. This AP writer never went to college, I suppose.

[gandalftb]

I heard last night that at least 25 had written wills and last statements to their families. Foreigners will never surrender, the hard fighting is to come.

Negotiations were just a stall to fortify bunkers and make mmolotovs.

God Bless the Paki's, they are going in hardcore and are paying for their freedom from the mullahs/taliban/AQ in blood.

[Abigail Adams]

Thanks for the updates! Keep them coming, please!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

He gave them a chance. But they are lunatics anyway. They should be exterminated like a plague of diseased rats.

[gandalftb]

The reporter is saying the militants have a lot of cellular sim cards. They reactivate their phones as fast as they are jammed.

Now reporting abdul rasheed dead from shots fired from outside the building. Currently PA chopper circling the area.

[gandalftb]

Something new: PA is deploying jammers, but in a new tactic, the militants are talking to each other by switching SIM cards every time they get jammed. Some phones have used up to 80 SIM cards to keep communication open.

[Shermy]

#24 Molana Gazi on Telephone on TV.... saying there are only 14 kalashankoves.. and 25 people with him.... Its Live.. and we can hear live gun fire behind.. He is standing next to window.

# 48 "Now reporting abdul rasheed (same guy) dead from shots fired from outside the building."

It was bound to happen...That is the Darwin award of the year winner!

[blam]

Thanks for the reports. Keep it coming.

[gandalftb]

Now: Now reporting that Army has stopped for two minutes and are announcing over a megaphone that anyone who has arms inside and wants to surrender can now surrender, they are giving them one last opportunity to surrender. Two ambulances can be seen speeding down the road, and a fleet of ambulances coming in.

[gandalftb]

30 security forces injured, 5 shaheed (dead).

[PGalt]

BTTT! Thanks.

[gandalftb]

Abdul Rashid Ghazi told the private Geo TV network that his mother had been wounded by gunfire.

“The government is using full force. This is naked aggression,” he said. “My martyrdom is certain now.”

[gandalftb]

Now: The operational combat is over. Mopping up now. Many arrested. Rumors that Ghazi is under arrest.

[webheart]

Gunfire and explosions shook Islamabad’s besieged Red Mosque Tuesday morning...

Don't you just love how the AP turns terrorist into victims, with a simple turn of a phrase?

[Marine_Uncle]

Do we see any other reports coming in. I hope it is true. Musarraf has gotten to mushy of lately.

[gandalftb]

Many PA casualties with burns. Lal Masjid secured and clean up in progress
— Jamia Hafsa = Secured and clean up in progress
— Library = Operation still ongoing (?)

[gandalftb]

AAJ news is saying that the compound is secured, Abul Rasheed is in custody.