Special Forces Assemble at Lal Masjid!

-7th July 1:30 AM
The problem might just have exasperated by the operation as F-7 and E-7 are rocked by gun fire, and explosions. Jamia Faridia is located in E-7. Good God… help Islamabad. What the heck!!! >:X These might be the same students that were released yesterday. I fear they have regrouped and rearmed. Damn…

7th July 1:30 AM
Earlier, Ahmed reported,

Some development as reported by www.onlinenews.com:

ISLAMABAD: Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi Friday showed willingness to hand over 3 orphans.

It has learnt that member of MMA Shah Abdul Aziz made a telephonic contact with besieged leader of Lal Masjid extremists to know about situation of teenage students, female and male, requested for their hand over, guaranteed for their proper look after but Lal Masjid mullah imparted that there were no teenagers in Mosque as propagated by government expect three, one male and two females, could be handed over on the pledge of their proper bring up.

Later on, Maulana Aziz had informed and discussed this development with officials of Interior Ministry to hatch a mechanism for the custody of these orphans.

Mega phones being used to inform the press and media men around to move back, further, from the firing zone.

7th July 1:18 AM
SHOTS FIRED! Firing from both ends in the standoff, Lal Masjid have opened fire with the Spec Ops doing the same! Heavy firing heard from the G-6 area as far as G-10. Ambulances can be heard rushing towards hospitals. The Special Forces have made a final move in as it seems. 7.7.7 in the making!?

Dear Reader, this is a LiveBlog of the Operation Lal Deen/Silence after 3:00 AM, on 4th of July, 2007. Interviews of both the brothers Rasheed and Aziz. The beautiful Islamabad. Journalists up-front in line of their duty. The down low on the nitty-gritty. The story of Maulana Aziz mian’s arrest and who got the credit. Your thoughts? How it all began, who should have died, and who actually did! This post will stick to the top till we reach a concluding point in this tragic episode unfolding in Islamabad. You can view all the new posts from our authors on Islamabad Metroblog right below this one. Your comments are invaluable source of information and discussion. Thank you very much.
-The IMB Team

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(Islamabad for outsiders - 1185 x 1032 px, 589.9 KB)

6th July 11:40 PM
Women representatives from the Parliament of Pakistan are now going inside the Lal Masjid to coax the ones inside to give up and surrender. They are accompanied by a member of the national assembly from the Muthida Majlis-e-Amal party also of the name, Maulana Aziz. Complete name, I don’t know? A clarification from D0CT0R,

Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz is an MNA from MMA not related to LAL masjid administration.

6th July 8:05 PM
Just found this video on another forum, Parents of Lal Masjid on BBC Urdu.

6th July 7:45 PM
Women representatives from the Parliament of Pakistan have requested to go in and talk to the ladies inside. The reaction to that from the masjid clergy is negative with, they are vary of the fact that, “Men dressed as women will try to infiltrate our stronghold!” …They are still thinking along those lines? Damn, man!

Meanwhile S.S.G. has been called in. The counter-terrorism wing of the Pakistan Army, very much similar to Mi5 in functioning and role.

6th July 7:30 PM
Residents of surrounding sectors heard yet again another maddening exchange of gunfire with random booms, explosions from the side of Lal Masjid. The crackdown on the Lal Masjid has now lasted for over 3 days, and it seems the forces outside are trying to push the ones inside to crack out of the compound. Around 6:30 PM and later this exchange of gunfire took place. And 2 tulbaa are said to have died, while 4 are injured.

Earlier today, at 3.30 AM, there was another similar clash between the forces who are holed up in their positions and both of them seem to be waiting for the other one to give in first. While the armed forces outside try to make head way, wall by wall.

There are constant reports of parents outside complaining that their children inside are being forced not to surrender against their wills. Pakistan Television ran a video of a man of pakhtun origin totally broken into tears for the life of his son inside. This is sad.

Mean while, Fakeera updates us on the attack on President Musharraf.

6th July 5:00 PM
Rasheed Ghazi says that 400 students have written their wills, and are placed on “Minbar” of the mosque. We’re ready for the final battle.

6th July 1:35 PM
From unconfirmed sources, Jjust learnt that a rocket almost Hit Musharaf’s copter while he was going for Flood affected areas monitoring. Rocket missed the target and Lal masjid Clerics may be related to this. (any confirmations??)

6th July 12:30 PM
1. Three hours relaxation in curfew for Jumah Prayer. Officials have announced a relaxation in the curfew for three hours starting from 12:30 pm till 3:30 pm in view of the Jumah Prayers break today amidst the Lal Masjid standoff. There are also reports of three more people who have surrendered to the authorities today.

2. Rasheed Ghazi claims more than 100 shells landed in the mosque’s compound in last one hour. Just moments ago, while talking the Geo TV, the leading cleric of Lal Masjid, Abdul Rasheed Ghazi has claimed that more than a 100 shells have landed inside the compound as a result of heavy firing and shelling by the authorities in the past hour. Rasheed Ghazi also denied reports of a rocket launcher attack on an APC of the armed forces yesterday.

He remained insistent as before on his previous conditions for giving up control of the mosque and the madrassas and laying down weapons. He further said that it is wrong of the government to assume our efforts to resolve this issue as our weakness and blamed the government for not willing to show any flexibility to end the standoff.
(Thanks to Fauzan Sohail for the updates).

6th July 10:00 AM
Still, no progress. Maualana Abdur Rashid and his associates are still not willing to lay down their arms. Heavy gun fire and even rocket attacks are going on since the previous night. Some bullets passed from over the residential area and some bullets hit a wall of Poly Clinic Hospital.


Image courtesy DT shows the seminaries being taken in blind-folded yesterday.

Geo reported firing of rockets from Lal Masjid, which caused a little damage to rangers’ AMCs. Security forces also fired dummy mortars with great sound and smoke.

Nevertheless, the lady officers who captured Aziz are being rewarded.

6th July 12:50 AM
Abdul Rasheed Ghazi is finding ways to save himself (more) and others with him. Face saving is of more importance; after yesterday’s bashing of his elder brother. Senator Tariq Azeem has assured him that he wont be asked to remove his shirt for security checking.

So now Ghazi asking for Cease fire and govt asking for cease fire … and both the parties are not ready for it.

On the other hand, heavy fire was reported few minutes back. Security forces are so close to the building itself that it would be moment’s game to turn the tables. Few students still managed to climb out.

*Confusion Confusion Everywhere* (Refer to interesting discussion on geo at the moment)

5th July 10:05 PM
Latest developments, hollow words? You decide

I am ready to surrender along with all students: Abdul Rasheed Ghazi -via The News.

The deputy head of Lal Mosque Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi has dramatically announced to surrender along with all the students including females amid the full-fledged “silence operation”, which was launched by forces at Lal mosque and Jamia Hafsa.

” I am ready to surrender along with all the students including females, we are ready to handover Lal mosque to Auqaf department and Jamia Faraidia will be handed over to the Wafaq-ul-Madaris, Mr. Ghazi said while taking to Geo News in an exclusive telephonic talk.

However, he said all the cases lodged against him were fake cases.

Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi expressed his desire that he along with his mother should be allowed to live in portion of Lal Mosque (Hujra) for few days so that they could be shifted at another place.

The government should investigate against those, whom the government seems, are involved in any suspicion activities, he said.

6th July 10:00 AM
Still, no progress. Maualana Abdur Rashid and his associates are still not willing to lay down their arms. Heavy gun fire and even rocket attacks are going on since the previous night. Some bullets passed from over the residential area and some bullets hit a wall of Poly Clinic Hospital.

Geo reported firing of rockets from Lal Masjid, which caused a little damage to rangers’ AMCs. Security forces also fired dummy mortars with great sound and smoke.

Nevertheless, the lady officers who captured Aziz are being rewarded.

5th July 9:25 PM
As the issue progressed while Ghazi rasheed’s discussion with Dr. Shahid Masood; it’s been heard that shortly a press-conference by Brig (r) Javed Iqbal Cheema is expected on this issue.

On the other hand, security forces are penetrating deep in the surroundings of Lal Masjid (from all sides). The explosions that rocked Lal Masjid few hours back has resulted in broken walls.

Discussions through various channels with Shujaat Hussain and Maulana Taqi Usmani are in process too.

5th July 8:45 PM
The Lal Masjid Radical cleric, Maulana Rasheed, clarifies stance by saying he is willing to give the land to the government, and the school and mosque to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (correct me if I am wrong) only if the government forgets about him and his acts… and lets him go free. This was in addition to what he said earlier about letting the unknown, misunderstood students at the mosque free. He also claimed that the government was propagating anti-Lal Masjid propaganda, while speaking on GEO News. Seems like the situation has forced the radical cleric to rethink his stance regarding the situation. Plus, its damn hot today in Islamabad :|

Well, as the war went on in a small part of G-6, I saw all of my office colleagues show up for work today. A few of them stayed back home who had to come via any of the blocked routes. Lets hope this stand-off ends soon.

5th July 8:19 PM
Speaking to ARYOne World on a telephone line Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi is demanding for a safe passage to exit the building/area. The non-militant students still inside the building be given guarantee of no arrest. And that he too be given a safe passage out of there unconditionally. The Armed Forces and the government however have no plans of creating a line of dialog or start negotiations with the ones inside. If they surrender, or come out peacefully they will not be shot at, but indeed taken into custody. This is what the situation is atm. I personally feel the Maulana should surrender himself, and save himself and his family the torture and suffering along with embarrassment and humiliation of this entire episode.

Maulana is in the company of his wife, daughter and his aged mother along with 50 to 100 Taleban. BTW Taleban is a plural of Talib, meaning pupil, so I am not politically stereotyping the ones inside here.

5th July 8:12 PM
I don’t know why, but I sought out the lyrics to A Perfect Circle’s perfect song for the moment, ‘Annihilation.’ While the last few lyrics are entirely paradoxical for the situation Islamabadis are in, but they are all the more powerful.

Power is power, the law of the land,
Those living for death will die by their own hand,
Life’s no ordeal if you come to terms,
Reject the system dictating the norms

From dehumanization to arms production,
To hasten this nation towards its destruction,
It’s your choice, your choice, your choice, your choice,
Peace or annihilation

Bleh! :( Such a sucky day for the entire nation. Posting updates as they come…

5th July 7:42 PM
I really dont think weapons inside would be as lethal as those outside… but still.

TOTAL 19 KILLED TILL NOW. The militants, holed in the premises of Lal mosque and Jamia Hafsa, are in possession of hand-grenades, petrol bombs and other lethal weapons, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said.

No Extremism

********

4th July 2:23 AM
Dawn Television reports that the 111 Brigade from the RWP Corps has assembled at the Lal Masjid and there is a high probability of an assault. The area is cordoned off completely, and there is a curfew. EVERYONE IS ADVISED TO AVOID THE AREA AS SPECIAL FORCES AND OTHER SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EXERCISE MINIMUM RESTRAINT, ZERO TOLERANCE AND ‘SHOOT ON SIGHT’!

4th July 2:40 AM
The government sources have confirmed a GO AHEAD with the operation on Lal Masjid. The President has approved action on them. ENTIRE G-6 IS CORDONED OFF EXCEPT EMBASSY ROAD - STAY PUT, STAY SAFE. The students have been told to surrender and come out with arms in the air without the weapons. Paramilitary, Special Ops, and other law enforcement forces have taken up positions around the Lal Masjid. The entire area has been blacked out and there is utter silence all around.

4th July 3:00 AM by A For [Pine]Apple
Time till 3:30 given for further ACTION.

Almost half an hour to go (time of IMB is One hour ahead than local PST, BTW).

4th July 3:10 AM
SHOTS FIRED!

4th July 3:14 AM
Sporadic fire from both sides. Ambulances, fire brigades, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), and sand bags in position!

4th July 3:23 AM
Heavy casualties expected. Ambulances reportedly fully stocked with first aid and other life saving medical equipment.

4th July 3:35 AM
Helicopters can be heard in Islamabad’s air. Tanks moving around the Blue Area road.
And lal masjid’s site is no longer blocked ( they’ve got new web designers :-))

4th July 3:48 AM
The vehicles shown in various footages on TV are not of Tanks, but are Armoured Personnel Carriers (Troop carriers). War Hymns were heard blown from Lal Masjid few minutes back, before Azaan e Fajr.

4th July 12:21 PM by Fauzan Sohail
Almost 100 male students and 6 more female students have exited the compounds of Lal Masjid moments ago after Lal Masjid reps announced that all who wanted to leave can leave the mosque. Moments after they came out, sporadic firing started from unknown sources thus dispersing this group in random directions.

4th July 12:53 PM by Fauzan Sohail
DEADLINE to SURRENDER has been extended till 12 noon today and a continuous stream of male and female students are coming out of the mosque towards the securities. Bear in mind that all of these are innocent students who have been at the Lal Masjid for religious studies and are coming out because of a leniency being provided by the govt on the request of the relatives of these students who have come over to Islamabad from all across the country

TWO SUICIDE BOMBINGS have taken place since this morning. One in Bannu district that has killed one person and injured many. Another suicide bomb has ended in martyrdom of 4 army soldiers at 10:30 am. The attack happened at 10:30 am today on the convoy that had 6 armed forces people. 4 died on the spot and two are critically wounded.

4th July 12:59 PM by Fauzan Sohail
Students coming out of the Lal Masjid have told reporters that: ‘It is not that easy to come out of Lal Masjid as it might seem to those outside.’ When asked to elaborate on this statement, all of them refrained from further comments stating that: ‘What we might say right now might not be good for us in the future.’

4th July 5:42 PM
Activity near the Lal Masjid intensifies as gun shots from automatic rifles are heard. Tracked vehicles can be heard. Gun smoke can be smelt several meters away from the site of action. The loudspeaker has gone mute, that was chanting Allah-o-Akbar. After the willing students left, the ones left inside seem to be ready for death or victory.

4th July 5:55 PM
Deadlines to surrender are having no effect on the ones inside, they are not budging. Neither will the ones outside. I think this will be one long journey to the finish line. The Government WILL SOLVE the problem, says press release. Kashmir Highway, connecting Grand Trunk Road and Muree has been barricaded.

4th July 6:15 PM
Atleast 4 Choppers sighted circling over the Lal Masjid! The Nai’b Khateeb Mr. Ghazi has not backed down from his stance to accept Shahadat and accepted his fate in a talk with Maulana Fazl ur Rehman. The type of the choppers is still unknown… whether they are assault aircraft or transport aircraft, that might lead to suggest the intensity with which the operation might be undertaken.

4th July 6:23 PM
AH-1 Cobras flying at tree top height.

4th July 6:45 PM
All Hospitals on Stand-by, doctors, nurses, surgeons summoned to expect high number of trauma and emergency cases. Assault Helicopters are able to take down targets from afar, and are built for urban warfare, armed with a gattling gun on the nose and Hellfires/Air To Ground Missiles on the wings made to take down tanks, bunkers and structures.

4th July 7:00 PM
Last update. Will start updating after this ends. Hope it ends in a bloodless confrontation and quick. Pray for the dead, pray for the mad, pray for your and mine safety. Allah Hafiz for now.

4th July 8:10 PM
MAULANA ABDUL AZIZ ARRESTED WHILE FLEEING WITH THE WOMEN IN A BURQA. So much so for Jihadi spirit! Confirmations still coming in. Initial reports by PTV and DAWN TV.

4th July 11:30PM
Latest update: More students are coming out and Ghazi Abdul Rasheed, who is in meeting with ullema inside, is now quite ready to surrender themselves and the Children’s Library. The information is not officially confirmed thugh. But with maulana Abdul Aziz arrested; chances are the operation Lal Masjid will end very soon now.

This can be considered end to Lal Mosque Saga … hopefully!

5th July 13:00 PM
After passing of the deadline (12:30 PM) given to the Lal Masjid administration for surrender, firing started in the mosque area. The administration had given 12:30 deadline to the students entrenched in the mosque. They were advised to leave the mosque immediately otherwise they would themselves be responsible for any harm. The ministry of interior has announced curfew break from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in G-6 of Islamabad, however the break has not be given in the Lal Masjid area. (Courtesy Geo News).

5th July 4:00 PM
Full-fledged commando operation has been launched at Lal mosque. Intense cross firing between the Law Enforcing agencies and students of Lal mosque has been started and the explosions have rocked the Islamabad. The commandos and the Rangers have also taken control of the office of Environment ministry beside the Lal mosque. (-Courtesy Geo News)

Um e hasaan said to be inside Lal masjid and not captured. For Breaking News, listen to this 1.5 minute audio stream. More details in this 14-minute audio stream. See Video (13:00 PM) on BBC and Geo (12:00 Pm) bulletin.

5th July 6:00 PM
Heavy gunfire exchange deafens the G-6 Sector, reports! A gun manned by an army soldier atop an APC.

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AH-1 Cobra of the Pakistan Army Aviation wing:
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Another APC under a camouflage net:
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Troops lined up:
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Courtesy Getty Images

5th July 6:15 PM
Operation codenamed: “Silence Operation”

The News:

A full-fledged commando operation has been launched at Lal mosque, the sources said.

Intense cross firing between the Law Enforcing agencies and students of Lal mosque has been started and the explosions have rocked the Islamabad.

The commando operation has been codenamed as “Silence Operation.”

I wonder if they are attacking with silence or they are trying to silence?

5th July 7:25 PM
Gunshots can still be heard in an around the Lal Masjid vicinity where the operation is taking place. The entire area has been evacuated long before anything could start. There is report that there are still a few hundred students and Majid officials camping inside. Maulana Rasheed’s sister tells about her brothers unwillingness to surrender. I personally see this thing going down to the wire where Maulana sahib will call truce. Hopefull.

Earlier, there was an explosion in the same area, and it cannot be confirmed that what that was. Some suspect it to be some noxious gas to suffocate them out of the building. Some say the smoke billowing out of the building is that of fire from a shell/missile fired into the compound.

Maulana sahib seeks comfort in the company of bewildered children, and confused youth inside the compound.

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Here is a photo of the older brother, Maulana Abdul Aziz, who was caught with the burqa, taken from the BBC News Online slide show on the event.

Related posts:

  1. Maulana Abdul Aziz Arrested
  2. Ghazi Brothers on StopDesi.com
  3. Friday Furor Continues
  4. Updates on Lal Masjid
  5. Jameya Hafsa Operation Updates

202 Comments so far

  1. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 3:59 am

    Time till 3:30 given for further ACTION.

    Almost half an hour to go (time of IMB is One hour ahead than local PST, BTW)

    Geo just showed a flash that road to parliament lodges also sealed, any further info from anyone else??

  2. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:05 am

    No… comment added… btw you can edit my entries too :)

  3. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:10 am

    *secrets not to be told on-air*

    Hint Hint - Yes :P

  4. Kashif (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:12 am

    Keep us updated

  5. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:16 am

    God protect any innocent victims!

  6. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:18 am

    I thought you didnt know, A. But you are allowed to add stuff on your own… just keep it between the div tags.

  7. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:20 am

    Good work dude … and why’s the pic in post is moving with every refresh … lol

  8. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:25 am

    3:30 AM set as the first deadline for militants to lay arms and surrender

  9. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:26 am

    Yaaar madad karo naa…! :@ coz the specops one was shits.

    I am going offline at 3:30, gotta go to office. These bastards will keep me awake.

  10. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:29 am

    Ohh … u r doing great work dude (Y)

    :)

    Let’s see If I can be fast fast as you :>

  11. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:33 am

    Thanx for updating. I wish sab kuch thek ho jaye :(

  12. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:43 am

    Choppers, nice! I want to see some cobras…!

  13. Atif Abdul-Rahman (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:45 am

    i hope the girls surrender, keep the ghazi bros.

  14. Riaz Hussain Azam (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:45 am

    in some war, winner after dominants becomes a losser.

    in this case govt will be either, Govt take operations or withheld operation because majority in Mosque is innocent & their simple requirement is implementation of Shariah.

    Riaz Hussain Azam
    riazhussainazam@gmail.com

  15. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:47 am

    New Web designers… LAWL!

  16. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:50 am

    lol@new web designer

  17. MB (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:52 am

    ” 111 Brigade from the RWP Corps has assembled at the Lal Masjid ”

    Why would they assembled at LAL MASJID and not GHQ?

  18. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:56 am

    See an update post on All Things Pakistan too.

  19. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:58 am

    Allah sab ko apnay hifz o aman main rakhay.. m so worried ..

  20. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:00 am

    Weird question MB :S

  21. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:17 am

    While talking to Dr. Shahid Masood, Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, Na’ib Khateeb of Lal Masjid has said that they are ready to give up arms if Govt. guarantees that no action would be taken against them… He’s live on GEO right now!

  22. SELF (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:20 am

    Maulana has given up so quickly once he realised government is serious? :S

  23. Atif Abdul-Rahman (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:23 am

    this is the best news of the day.
    i hope the surrender without any further loss of life.

  24. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:23 am

    Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman is in the process of negotiating a deal between the two parties to avoid bloodshed…

  25. Babar (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:24 am

    So quick? This time he realized that he too may be killed apart from the young kids so he calls it a quit. Pathetic.
    Why no action. He should be charged with terrorism charges.

  26. Adil Najam (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:25 am

    Folks, just wanted to thank you all for the updates. They are most useful. Please keep the details coming.

    I have used some, with credits and kudos to Metroblog Islamabad at Pakistaniat.com where we are also trying to keep an eye on things.

  27. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:26 am

    Dr. Shahid Masood advised him to surrender for the sake of saving lives of these kids.

  28. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:29 am

    They’re about to kick start the operation in the masjid. And are asking the girls and kids to leave the masjid through the other way.

  29. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:30 am

    Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, Na’ib Khateeb of Lal Masjid accuses rangers for killing of a journalist, 5 students and a namazi

  30. Teeth Maestro (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:32 am

    Hey would you guys think with all the issues facing Msharraf in 2007, the curse of 64 is slowly drawing closer on Musharraf? If people may recall that a few months back a Chain SMS moved across Pakistan stating

    Age 64 & the Presidents of Pakistan

    Iskander Mirza ousted at 64
    Ayub Khan died at 64,
    Yahya Khan died at 64,
    Zia Died at 64, &
    Musharraf will be 64 in 2007 ???

    Just a thought - seems like the dude is sitting at the edge of his grave with too many battles open across to many sides.

  31. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:32 am

    Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman in talks with the PM.

    Whay the hell is he talking to him??

  32. Teeth Maestro (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:34 am

    Mulana Diesel - needs to lubricate his importance - why else !!1 lol

  33. Atif Abdul-Rahman (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:40 am

    what age is Mualana Abdul Rashid Ghazi`?

  34. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:41 am

    Operation likely to be put off, pressure to continue

  35. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:43 am

    I guess he’s 45, I remember him saying that when giving ex-prostitutes a chance to marry him.

  36. MB (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:44 am

    Doctor sahab, great piece of info

    Whats your age by the way :P

  37. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:47 am

    Operation has been suspended, Rasheed Ghazi has agreed to surrender arms in front of Maulanas.

  38. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:49 am

    I was asking why is Maulana talking to the PM? Can our PM make any decisions?

  39. Babar (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:53 am

    What does it mean to surrender to maulanas. So we are going for yet another parallel government of Maulanas? And what would they do to him? Keep him in their houses on their personal gaurantees? Just like Ijaz-ul Haq did last time?

  40. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:56 am

    Maulanas as in Wafaq-ul-Madaris’s administration (the state institution that controls all Madrassahs in Pakistan). And for everything after that he’s given the right of decision making to Maulana Diesel and said that he’ll oblige by whatever is decided by Fazl-ur-Rehman.

  41. Babar (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:01 am

    Fazlur rehman is not the chief justice. Its not about Ghazi’s choice whose decision he is going to accept. But I am happy that kids are safe and also that they couldnt get more martyers out of it. But once surrendered, they should realy try him for all the mess he has created.

  42. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:03 am

    Hmmm Aaj is now reporting heavy exchange of gun fire between Jami’ah Hafsa peeps and security forces.

  43. MB (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:07 am

    Me in office right now & am not able to check out anything except IMB which is my only source right now.

    Guys,
    Please keep updating. . . .

  44. Babar (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:09 am

    Saad, thanks for keeping us updated.

  45. Atif Abdul-Rahman (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:10 am

    Hi MB,
    how come ur in office, its 5 in the morning, r u the earliest bird in town? :-)

  46. MB (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 7:04 am

    Night shift man!!

    No update coming , why ?

  47. Farhan (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 7:12 am

    Ya how about some update… ?

  48. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 7:18 am

    The situation is still the same as it was before. Maulana Fazl ur Rehman just told Aaj TV that they’re trying to make Jami’ah people surrender their arms before Maulanas from Wafaq ul Madaris. The bone of contention as of now is Rasheed Ghazi’s demand to continue having the control of the madrassah even after the surrender of weapons while the Gov. has demanded them to hand over the control of the place to them.

  49. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 7:27 am

    All the police is being replaced by security personnel while a network of barbed wires and baricades is being expanded all over the place.

  50. thanos (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 8:09 am

    Here’s a story from a Time/CNN reporter who was inside yesterday, she leaves a lot OUT of her report…

  51. thanos (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 8:31 am

    Here’s the latest from Reuters on this. The good new is that a lot of parents did pick up their children yesterday.

  52. Talha (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 11:40 am

    @Teeth

    Iskander Mirza ousted at 64
    Ayub Khan died at 64,
    Yahya Khan died at 64,
    Zia Died at 64, &
    Musharraf will be 64 in 2007 ???

    Iskander Mirza died at almost 70
    Ayub Khan died at 66
    Yahya Khan died at 63

    Where are you getting your facts from man?

  53. Fauzan Sohail (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 12:21 pm

    Almost 100 male students and 6 more female students have exited the compounds of Lal Masjid moments ago after Lal Masjid reps announced that all who wanted to leave can leave the mosque. Moments after they came out, sporadic firing started from unknown sources thus dispersing this group in random directions.

  54. Babar (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 12:49 pm

    There was a suicide attack on pak army canvooy which killed 4 pak army personels. This ust broke.

  55. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 12:51 pm

    Dear Reader, all of your ‘useful’ comments will be added to the post, later on.

  56. Fauzan Sohail (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 12:53 pm

    DEADLINE to SURRENDER has been extended till 12 noon today and a continuous stream of male and female students are coming out of the mosque towards the securities. Bear in mind that all of these are innocent students who have been at the Lal Masjid for religious studies and are coming out because of a leniency being provided by the govt on the request of the relatives of these students who have come over to Islamabad from all across the country

    TWO SUICIDE BOMBINGS have taken place since this morning. One in Bannu district that has killed one person and injured many. Another suicide bomb has ended in martyrdom of 4 army soldiers at 10:30 am. The attack happened at 10:30 am today on the convoy that had 6 armed forces people. 4 died on the spot and two are critically wounded.

  57. Fauzan Sohail (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 12:59 pm

    UP
    Students coming out of the Lal Masjid have told reporters that:

    ‘it is not that easy to come out of Lal Masjid as it might seem to those outside.’

    When asked to elaborate on this statement, all of them refrained from further comments stating that:

    ‘what we might say right now might not be good for us in the future.’

  58. Tariq Irfan (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 1:07 pm

    Govt. should not give them anymore chance ….smooked them out..boombed the place to ashed

  59. Tariq Irfan (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 1:07 pm

    Govt. should not give them anymore chance ….smooked them out..boombed the place to ashes…so in future no body dare to think like these 2 bros

  60. amin polani (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 1:51 pm

    please keep us updated as in china there is no geo or jang web site available for updates due to rush.

  61. X --- (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 2:04 pm

    http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=25397

    200 male students and 100 female students surrender.

  62. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 2:16 pm

    The figure is constantly on the rise

  63. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 2:47 pm

    More than 500 have surrendered

  64. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 3:06 pm

    I cant bear any loss of young lives. I wish all of them surrender by deadline. These youngsters are very precious to us. And these guys and unseen hands behind them, who are manupulating are ruining Islam’s name in front of the whole world. What kind of muslims these are :( . Allah hum sub ko hadayat day.

  65. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 3:33 pm

    Deadline extended to 3:00 PM.

  66. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 3:35 pm

    Surrendered ones are above 600 now.

  67. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 3:55 pm

    THANKS to all our readers who were updating reports on IMB

    It’s appreciated … Kudos to ya all …!

  68. asa (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:05 pm

    at the one end ppl are dying at balochistan or lahore and this bloddy dictator,kutey ka bacha has started an operation .. wat a sick country we lived in where ppl like zia,altaf,bibi,ayub,yahya,mushy,nawaz ruled us ..
    f*** them all

  69. Yasir Hussain (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:17 pm

    I guess they’re both in battle to decide who’s the bigger fool!

  70. Ijaz Rahim (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 4:57 pm

    Its time to fuck up the mullahs! i say kill the mullahs

  71. Tariq Irfan (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:31 pm

    Govt should not extend deadline any more…smoke then out , bomb this place and make it to ashes….all those inside should be vapourised

  72. Tariq Irfan (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 5:31 pm

    Govt should not extend deadline any more…smoke them out , bomb this place and make it to ashes….all those inside should be vapourised

  73. BoZz (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:16 pm

    Loss of life, any life is a very tragic event. However, in cases such as this, when the perpetrators are willfully maligning the name of Islam, all of these morons should together with their leaders be given exemplary punishments.

    Why is it that we Muslims, are so gutless, so quick to lynch and hang a poor ‘Masih’ or ‘John’ falsely accused, but have no stomach to punish our own? Is this the way of Islamic justice Pakistani style?

    Let us rid ourselves of these pests (here and in the political arena), lock, stock and barrel while the iron is still hot.

  74. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 6:53 pm

    I was at office, I am building back to where I left from! In that space, I am adding all your comments.

  75. jahnanara (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 8:15 pm

    I hope the Govt does not flinch now. For God’s sake finish this festering sore, and make it quick.
    We have to wrest our Pakistan back from both the Mullahs and the Military.

  76. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:11 pm

    Whats the truth in the Maulana Ghazi being arrested?

  77. BoZz (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:14 pm

    Yes he was arrested trying to escape wearing a burqa. What a bloody whimp. Good work

  78. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:15 pm

    Maulana Abdul Aziz (elder bro of Maulana Ghazi) arrested while trying to flee wearing a Burqa :D. He was trying to run away in a group of girls and when rangers tried to search them, girls raised a ruckus, upon which women police officers were asked to search them. This resulted in the arrest of Maulana Sahib :D

  79. BoZz (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:24 pm

    Guess what did the women police officer find when they searched under the burqa of the escaping maulana?

    No - wrong thought!

    They found nothing. (i.e no balls)

  80. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:33 pm

    And this is the hardcore maulana, the one who was the more strict of the two brothers. His sister said in the morning that Maulanas are ready to ‘die’ and will not ever do such a thing. This guy was asking people/students to die for the message that he was spreading and he himself opted to run away in a group of girls :)

  81. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 9:33 pm

    ^ Come on man, its not that funny a situation :s!

  82. Saad (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 10:13 pm
  83. Phil (unregistered) July 4th, 2007 10:47 pm

    Nice1, Saad! :D

  84. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 12:28 am

    Bohat aala … Phil & fakeera … great work :>

  85. Phil (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 12:39 am

    Bohat alla you also! Now you take over please, coz i am going to sleeps… GoodLuckHaveFunStaySafe :D

    Acha, one last thing! Three Cheers for IMB! \o/ Yaaay!

  86. WK (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 12:47 am

    CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL !

    GOOD JOB TO ALL THOSE WHO UPDATEING TILL NOW !

    Allah ka Suker hay

    Peace

  87. independent (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 1:14 am

    Eventually the drama is about to end:

    Other Topi is ready to surrender after sacrificing 20 people!!!!(may be more)

    Where is the motivation and lectures which they were relaying to masses? intersting situation…

    It is well clear that it is a staged drama however, final episode may be different or opposite to wht have been told to these brothers by script writters.

  88. jahnanara (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 1:14 am

    I am concerned that now Chaudary Shuj has stepped in, the criminals will not be brought to justice. I hope to God that these terrorists are brought to justice…. warna aagey mushkil ho gee…. the surrender should be unconditional.

  89. Shaheer (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 1:18 am

    And then, the burqa-people say “why does the world hate us for wearing a burqa???? I mean… this is sooo lame! They hate us for wearing a burqa and covering our (ugly) faces blah blah blah…”

    Next step: ban the burqas… for sure! Internationally! That’s the only way they can ensure that people’s sexual orientation is… well… consistent… and then they accuse people of running a brothel…

    Hmm… maybe maulana auntie was going to a brothel him/her/itself… afterall, his sexual orientation is screwed up big time, isn’t it, folks?

    I would have come up w/ a story - but I’ve got exams from Monday… if only…. *sigh*

  90. Punj - aabi by heart by soul (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 1:26 am

    I’m concerned by a few people in Pakistan pushing their own ideology to be the law! And I am equally concerned by religious fanatic morons who are keeping their eyes closed on the reality.

    Hellooooo! Y is the prostution existing? Bcoz people demand it. Y are the religious leaders not concerned about making Islam more attractive so that youth follows it.

    For all who want to ignore the reality, here is a fact - Google Trends shows Pakistan leads the world when searching for word “sex” on the internet. http://google.com/trends?q=sex . So what should be the next step? ban the internet?

    The land of sufis is turning into land of hypocrites.

  91. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 1:35 am

    @Shaheer: Condemn the act not the burqa.

  92. Claude Almansi (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 2:34 am

    Great resource Punj-aabi - but then Pakistan also leads the word searching for the word “Allah”: http://google.com/trends?q=Allah&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

  93. WK (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 2:35 am

    hey ,,

    Whats next I am hearing that Rangers are moving to Red Spot…

    ????

    Thanks

  94. BoZz (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 2:47 am

    @ CLAUDE and PUNJ AABI - Guys the thing is that both God and Sex are missing in this land of the pure. Therefore that is why Pakis are searching for them on the internet!

  95. WK (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 2:59 am

    BOZZ,

    What are you searching here ????????????
    you should go back where you belong to because you have a lot of SEX at your place ….no wonder why you come out of your home, may be you want to give a chance to others to have sex.

    lolzzzzzzzzzz

    Peace

  96. Claude Almansi (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 3:11 am

    @ BOZZ: I’m the contrary of Maulana Auntie: a woman with a man’s name - i.e. in French Claude can also be a woman’s name :)

  97. Ahmed (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 5:15 am

    4:00am I am watching aaj tv and they are reporting around 12 blasts near the mosque the operation seems to be still ongoing and authorities are trying to smoke out the remaining students inside the mosque

  98. Babar (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 6:05 am

    Thanks God that the Mullahs are exposed so badly. But I still hope that no more blood is spilled, and everybody inside comes out safe. No matter how misguided , bent to kill others, ready to impose their idelogies on others, and taking freedom of other the people inside may be, most of them are just misguided youth. We must never hate. If you saw the people coming out on television, it strucks how alike we all are. Those chaps were just so dejected and disappointed about something they beleived so much. After all we all are made up of blood and flesh. Dont call for death of anybody, not even Maulana Raheed et. al. But do keep them away from society from creating this kind of mess.

  99. Babar (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 6:10 am

    Another good thing is that this time govt is not sanctioning the authority of Mullahs in general by not accepting their interference. This is first time I have seen happening in pakistan, that the govt could give mullahs a shut up call.

  100. Babar (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 6:53 am

    I dont get it. Why this Maulana Rasheed talks like he is a head of some state, and doing talks with another state of Pakistan. What does it mean that we are doing only defence? The state has full right to send its men anywhere it deems appropriate and to arrest people who are wanted in some case. And then he talks about the conditions he has put forward. What does he think of himself? President of Islamic republic of jamia hafsa?
    And strangely media also uses these phrases like these guys are realy running a state.

  101. Babar (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 6:55 am

    If I am wanted in some case in Pakistan, i am sure that the police would not give me an option to start negotiating with them. Why is this logic so hard to understand for some people?

  102. HASSAN' (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 2:45 pm

    The most funniest thing is not when Mulana Abdul Aziz escaping in burqa but it is when Maulana Abdul Raheed says He wants to meet a High Official of Government. An Idiom in Farsi is “Uzr(excuse) Az Gunnah, Badtar(more bad) Az Gunnah”—and-wise ppl can understand by just a sign.

  103. SELF (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 3:39 pm

    Apparenlty Maulana like sburqa so much he is stil wearing it. I wonder if he thinks its the armour that will protect him from enemies.

  104. Shaheer (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 4:19 pm

    @Phil,

    It’s not the burqa that I’m targetting - it’s the use of the burqa.

    Having lived abroad for years and years, I always wanted to know what’s behind the burqa. Now I’m wondering how many males are behind the burqa lol.

    Actually, if people can be honest and truthful, and stop misusing the burqa (which leads us to your point - condemn the act), then I think people won’t be frustrated.

    Many associate the burqa w/ kamikaze bombers and what not… and since it’s such a perfect way of escaping and hiding, in MY view (which means that others are FREE to disagree and disapprove), strict measures should be taken to prevent the abuse of the facility (burqa).

    My two cents.

  105. Shaheer (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 4:22 pm

    @Everyone - did you catch ARY’s presenter interviewing the “dude” at the LOLMasjid? They manage to catch him on telephone at around 11.30pm last night (Wednesday). It was good to know that the LOLMasjid brigade has internally broken down.

    But what’s more shameful is the act done by PTV and the caught Maulana (forgot his name)… him having to wear a burqa on screen, and told to get it off… all a staged interview, and deplorable. I mean - why don’t you just take the interview straightly! No fancy humor blah blah… besides, it wasn’t funny…

    And yea - though I didn’t get to see the whole interview, word has it that the interviewee wasn’t letting the maulvi speak in full - he’d interrupt him now and then… is that so?

  106. Da-Man (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 5:02 pm

    Cross dressing maulana? Maulana Auntie? LOL Masjid? Maulana Diesel? Anyone remember Maulana Whisky (Maulana Kausar Niazi of PPP)? These baffoons have made Islam a joke!

  107. IUnknown (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 5:53 pm

    shameful for pakistanis again.

  108. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 6:39 pm

    any youtube videos of Maulana abdul aziz’s interview with ary??? darn !!! I missed that .

  109. amin polani (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 7:12 pm

    this rasheed guy is mad he says it has been 3days since aziz got captured — mad guy

  110. sumaiyya (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 7:21 pm
  111. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 7:44 pm

    Ghazi wants safe exit and not to be killed after surrender. Hopefully, this will end soon.

  112. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 7:53 pm

    Rasheed Ghazi’s sister denied that he is ready to surrender :(

  113. Kami (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 8:02 pm

    The Maulana will have a Fatwa coming soon regarding the escape and Auntie that, “It is all Jaiz under certain circumstances.”

  114. Ali (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 8:51 pm

    the question that remain unclear is that did he had spare burqa or did he borrowed it from “one of her students” :P

  115. Fauzan Sohail (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 10:46 pm

    Abdul-Rasheed (sorry but I don’t consider him a maulana) is willing to surrender provided he allowed to leave with his mother and no charges are put up against him (AS IF!!)

    As for all the extremists inside (again, sorry but i don’t consider them students), he said that they can undergo a verification and if there is nothing big against them then they should also be set free.

    No mention of his brother’s fate.

    Rangers and security forces are announcing that Abdul-Rasheed should surrender and his life will not be threatened in any way.

  116. michael (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 10:51 pm

    What is to become of the schools associated with Lal Masjid? Is there any chance that they will be taken over by responsible people and do some good next term?

  117. Phil (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 11:10 pm

    Michael, a very good question. To the best of my knowledge, the Jamia Faridia (men’s wing) was the only other school associated with Lal Masjid apart from Jamia Hafsa (women’s wing). Jamia Faridia had already been evacuated before this episode, and all male members moved into the Lal Masjid. To the best of my knowledge.

    I say they take a look at Jamia Farida again, that is 2 to 3 KM away from Lal Masjid.

  118. d0ct0r (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 11:13 pm

    While talking to Dr Shahid Masood, Maulana Ghazi says that he and others are willing to put down weapons and come out provided that they’re not humiliated just like his elder bro and treated properly and provided that his students are able to go free after proper verification and registration (to clear them of any linkage to banned organizations) , he is willing to hand over both Madarsahs to Wafaqul Madaras (governing body of all madarsas in pakistan) and the Lal Masjid to Oukaq(Govt’s department which controls Masjids/relegious places all around pakistan)

  119. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 11:43 pm

    Regarding the schools i.e. jameya hafsa specially attached to Lal masjid. Since, the construction is purely illegal; I’ve a gut feeling that forces will demolish the lal Masjid as well as jameya.

    Time will tell!

  120. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 5th, 2007 11:45 pm

    & Thansk Sumayya :-)

  121. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 12:26 am

    As for Say NO to Extremism … I’m with you in raising the slogan. But the Image you’ve associated with it - I dont agree to that.

    If a girl is wearing a burqa and she feel much comfortable in it; then why should anyone have a problem with it?? Wearing burqa is not wrong neither is extremism; carrying weapons and killing your own people in name of Jihad; falsifying the Image of Islam is extremism.

  122. Phil (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 1:00 am

    The image of extremism at the moment is ‘the burqa’ but I can listen to other suggestions too.

  123. A for [pine]apple (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 1:19 am

    how about a bearded man with LMG?? you’ll find enough of such pics on BBC I’m sure !

  124. DL (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 1:24 am

    Regarding the burqa being the image of extremism, I personally know of many women who wear burqa yet strongly condemn the actions by these clerics. It is insensitive to use it in this context. Perhaps an image of a guy in turban holding a gun would be better.

  125. Pretty Simple (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 1:26 am

    Burqa is for good. And sometimes it fails to protect. We have example of our very own dear baray bhayya. Blaming everything on Burqa for extremism, is so sterotypical and as well as skeptical.

  126. Phil (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 2:17 am

    OK, ok, banalee hai nai wali… :x hosla kero !

  127. Hasan Mubarak (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 2:21 am

    Rocket fired from Laal Masjid at an Army armoured vehicle.

    How did they manage to stock such weapons while sitting in the heart of Islamabad…?

  128. Kashif (unregistered) July 6th, 2007 3:20 am

    Its all a big d