Islamist leader killed in Red Mosque seige

Last Modified: 10 Jul 2007
By: ITN

Pakistani forces have killed a rebel Islamist leader and more than 50 militants after 15 hours of fighting in an Islamabad mosque compound to end a week-long siege.

Militants mounted a last stand in the basement of a religious school where cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi was killed, the Interior Ministry said.

There was no immediate word on the fate of women and children he was said to have been using as human shields. It's a gamble by the Pakistan president which risks a backlash. At dawn the Pakistani Army launched 'Operation Silence' on the Red Mosque.

The siege in photos

Photo gallery of the images of events leading up to the assualt upon the Red Mosque in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
Photo gallery: siege at the Red Mosque

During 12 hours of heavy hand-to-hand fighting, they secured the complex room by room.

The rebel cleric died along with 60 of his militants - the 450 women and children held hostage have been released.

The violence comes at a time of increasing frustration with President Musharraf's regime across Pakistan.

That the standoff has been in the capital Islamabad, has made it a very public problem.

In the very heart of the city, the Red mosque has long waged a campaign for sharia law - but recently attracted criticism after kidnapping people considered to be un-Islamic.

The facts behind the fight

Find out who runs it, who's inside it and what the Pakistani military are doing about it.
Q&A: the Red Mosque

Exactly a week ago clashes erupted, with thousands inside and 16 people were killed.

Within 48 hours, 2,000 students surrendered. Negotiations took place over loudspeaker until 4am this morning, when the army began storming the mosque.