Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gave the go ahead decision for the final operation against defiant Lal Masjid militants on Sunday night, a private TV channel DAWN NEWS reported Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The decision was made at a top-level meeting, DAWN NEWS said.
Journalists who were rendered freedom to make their presence near the Lal Masjid have been expelled from the site. The security forces have started a search operation in the curfew areas, according to DAWN NEWS.
The President also announced that the government would not provide a safe passage for Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the deputy chief of the mosque who is leading the resistance.
Minister for Religious Affairs Ijaz ul Haq said Sunday hardcore terrorists involved in various national and international terrorists acts have taken control of the mosque and they are bullying the children and women in the mosque with death threats, a private TV channel Geo reported.
A senior religious leader on Sunday warned that suicide attacks could prevail in the country if the government demolish the girl seminary "Jamia Hafsa," a building in the Lal Masjid compound where many girl students were taken hostages.
