Red Mosque terrorist destroyed

NY Times:

Loud explosions rocked the Pakistani capital today as security forces fought intensely with militants holed up in a sprawling mosque compound in the heart of the capital. After 10 hours of fighting, 8 security forces and roughly 50 presumed militants were dead, according to the military. Roughly two dozen children, whom the army said were being held hostage, escaped.

Another 29 troops and special forces were injured, the military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, told reporters at a press briefing near the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque. The spokesman said 50 men and 27 women had been captured, including 13 who were wounded in the battles. Among them were the wife and daughter of one of the main leaders of the mosque.

The assault on the mosque began before daybreak, around 4:30 am, just hours after talks broke down to end the eight day siege of the mosque. A series of deafening explosions were followed by a black plume of smoke rising to the sky. Throughout the day, explosions were followed by the rattle of small arms fire and by early afternoon, heavy bursts of machine gun fire. General Arshad said the militants’ arsenal includes rocket launchers, grenades, landmines, and booby traps to foil troops trying to enter the compound. The militants, whom government officials described as being led by known radical Islamist groups, were using the minarets of the mosque to fire at the security forces.

“There is intense engagement,” the spokesman said at a midday briefing. “There is a lot of resistance. They are well-armed, well-trained terrorists.”

Of those who had been captured or wounded, General Arshad said it was too early to tell how many were part of the armed rebellion and how many had been kept inside against their will. Nor could military officials say how many still remained inside. “It’s too early to say who is who, who is a militant,” he said.

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The clearing operation is still underway at the time of the story so more terrorist may still be found, but the outcome is pretty clear. What is striking is the choice those in side made. If they comae out they would live and get money from the government. If they stayed they would very likely die in a fruitless gesture of defiance. Like the frat rats in Animal House, they chose a fruitless gesture. It was an especially bad choice, because even politically they made the Pakistani government look strong and resolute at a time when it had been dithering and vacillating.

CNN reports that the rebel in charge has been killed in the cross fire with Pakistani troops. His body has been recovered and several hostages have been released. The dead leader was the brother of the cross dressing cleric captured trying to sneak out in a burqa. Apparently "martyrdom" isn't for everyone, especially those who would rather dress in funny clothes than die.

Bill Roggio has more on the clearing of the red mosque.