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| Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07ISLAMABAD2905 | 2007-07-03 15:55:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Islamabad |
Cable title:
SITREP ISLAMABAD 20:00 LOCAL -- CONFRONTATION AT RED MOSQUE
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1. (C) SUMMARY. Pakistani police forces have engaged with
militants at the "Red Mosque" throughout July 3. The Government of Pakistan has been under pressure to take action against the mosque since January 2007. Armed militants run the mosque and control its large female population. Today, the government exercised restraint until a series of provocations, including automatic weapon fire directed at law enforcement and an attack on a nearby government building, prompted authorities to use tear gas and gunfire. Embassy has reported extensively on the Red Mosque and the issues leading up to this event (see reftels). Post is uncertain about casualties, but some Pakistani police and a cameraman have been killed. Possibly as many as fifty students have been killed and/or injured with a number of women affected by tear gas moved to local hospitals. Embassy is in touch with local authorities and embassy's FSN surveillance detection team is reporting from the site. An American reporter in the mosque earlier in the day is safe. There is speculation that Pakistani forces may move into the mosque after dark. 2. (C) We believe that all Americans are safe and accounted for. CODEL Davis with six members arrived early evening July 3 and is safely in the hotel. END SUMMARY -------------------------- Violence breaks out -------------------------- 3. (C) Early July 3, Pakistani police forces began erecting a barbed wire fence around the Red Mosque compound in Islamabad. In response, around 300 female madrassah residents on the mosque's roof shouted to male militants in the compound, exhorting them to take action against the law enforcement authorities putting up the barrier. These male militants reportedly opened fire first. The police responded initially by firing tear gas canisters, and later with gunfire. The male militants (as many as 2,000-3,000), some wearing gas masks and standing behind sand bag defenses, are heavily armed with automatic weapons. 4. (C) As of 20:00 local time, the militants continue to exchange fire with police and Rangers. Media and post sources indicate that there are up to 5,000 government forces surrounding the mosque. Hundreds of onlookers, people arriving for prayers, and journalists are also standing in the vicinity. Local hospitals are taking in gunshot wound victims. Some embassy sources speculate that the police and Rangers plan to launch an assault against the mosque after nightfall. -------------------------- Casualties -------------------------- 5. (U) Local television broadcasts and embassy sources have reported the following casualties as of 19:30 local time: -- 2 Punjab Rangers or policemen killed by gunfire; -- 10 militants killed by gunfire (estimates have ranged from 5-10); -- 1 news cameraman killed by gunfire (there are also unconfirmed reports of a second dead journalist); -- 1 merchant killed who was caught in crossfire; -- 60 to 70 militants injured by gunfire, including female militants. 6. (U) Dozens of mosque women were evacuated to local hospitals for exposure to tear gas. -------------------------- ISLAMABAD 00002905 002 OF 002 Amcit Time reporter safe -------------------------- 7. (C) Post learned at 16:30 local time that Amcit Erin Baker, a journalist with Time Magazine, was in the Red Mosque compound. A Pakistani think tank researcher had taken her to the mosque at 11:30 in the morning. When the gunfire began, Ms. Baker remained inside the mosque, but then was able to leave during a lull in the fighting. RSO contacted Ms. Baker by cell phone and confirmed that she left the mosque safely. DCM has communicated this information to the Operations Center. -------------------------- -------------------------- Ministry building set on fire, unconfirmed explosion -------------------------- -------------------------- 8. (C) During the afternoon, male militants also set fire to the Ministry of Environment, located near the Red Mosque, ostensibly because Punjab Rangers were occupying the building. (The Environment Minister later appeared on local television and denied Rangers had been present in the building.) As of 19:30 local time, post does not know the extent of damage at the Ministry, although there are unconfirmed reports of 5 to 7 casualties resulting from the fire and/or an explosion there. 9. (C) At approximately 17:30 local time, sources in the vicinity of the Red Mosque heard a large explosion. Local media reported this may have been a suicide bombing. The mosque's extremist leader, mullah Abdur Ghazi, claimed it was a suicide attack on the building. Embassy sources in the area said the explosion was not a suicide bomber, and we are seeking additional information. -------------------------- Embassy response / Actions taken -------------------------- 10. (C) Post initiated its phone cascade procedure to ensure that all American staff are safe and accounted for. Post also issued a text message to all personnel (American and locally engaged staff) advising them of the situation and to avoid all unnecessary travel tonight. Post management decided at 19:00 local time not to call an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting because most EAC members had already left the embassy, and it would have been unwise for them to drive back to the embassy compound. Post will continue to monitor the situation throughout the night and decide if an EAC is necessary tomorrow July 4. 11. (C) At least four embassy residences are in the same sector as the Red Mosque (G 6/3). Post has determined that these residences are not in any immediate danger but we will continue to monitor the situation. 12. (C) CODEL Davis, with six members and two staff, arrived evening of July 3 and are safely in the hotel. PATTERSON |