RED MOSQUE -- SITREP ISLAMABAD 15:30 LOCAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 002907

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PHUM PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE -- SITREP ISLAMABAD 15:30 LOCAL

REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2905

B. ISLAMABAD 2829

C. ISLAMABAD 2468

D. ISLAMABAD 2334

E. ISLAMABAD 2270

F. ISLAMABAD 1846

G. ISLAMABAD 1688

H. ISLAMABAD 1647

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) Summary: The Pakistan Army has taken command of
government forces in the immediate area of the Lal Masjid
(Red Mosque). Approximately 700 people inside the mosque
surrendered at the urging of the government; approximately
3,200 remain. Prime Minister Aziz told visiting Codel Davis
July 4 that the situation was unfolding better than expected,
and that the government would continue to allow time for
additional militants and occupants to surrender. EAC
convened and decided to move Embassy staff living in the
vicinity of the Red Mosque until the situation is resolved;
July 4 activities at the EMR will continue as planned. Small
protests against government action on Lal Masjid took place
in the Northwest Frontier Province, FATA, and Balochistan.
End Summary.

--------------
Timeline
--------------


2. (C) Law enforcement authorities and militants at Lal
Masjid continued to exchange sporadic gunfire into the early
morning hours of July 4. As of 15:30 local time, authorities
had not launched a major offensive operation against the
mosque. The government instead encouraged militants, women,
and children in the mosque to surrender by certain deadlines,
each of which was extended as occupants continued to
surrender. At this time, approximately 500 male and 200
female occupants have surrendered to authorities; police
estimated approximately 3,200 remained in the mosque compound.


3. (C) At approximately 2:00 AM July 3, the government
announced over loudspeakers a 3:30 AM deadline for the
militants' surrender. The deadline passed without any of the
militants surrendering, but rangers and police did not launch
an operation against the mosque. At an undetermined time
during the night, authorities cut off the mosque's
electricity and water. Embassy sources reported the mosque's
backup generator was not functioning.


4. (C) At approximately 9:00 AM July 4, authorities
announced that militants and occupants wishing to surrender
before a new 11:00 AM deadline could meet their parents, whom
Interior Ministry officials had contacted during the night,
at a nearby market; those who surrendered were promised 5,000
rupees (about $80) for the journey home. (Note: Many mosque
occupants were from poorer parts of the Northwest Frontier
Province. End Note.) Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM,
approximately 120 individuals (100 male and 20 female)
surrendered to authorities and met family members at nearby
Aabpara market. Media reported law enforcement authorities
searched the men and women, asked them to confirm their
families' names, and questioned many of the male occupants
who had surrendered. Embassy sources reported certain
surrendering male occupants suspected of criminal acts were
detained for further questioning and might face legal
prosecution.


5. (C) Minutes after 11:00 AM, authorities opened fire on
the mosque and militants. After a brief exchange of fire
between rangers and militants, law enforcement signaled a
cease-fire and announced an extension of the deadline for
occupants wishing to surrender to 12:00 PM. Another 50 men
and women surrendered before noon, and authorities again
extended the surrender deadline. Authorities told Embassy
sources they hoped to continue extending the deadline as long
as occupants kept surrendering in steady numbers. Several of
those who surrendered told embassy sources the situation
inside the mosque was tense; there was a core group of
committed militants urging others not to surrender.


ISLAMABAD 00002907 002 OF 002


Senior Officials Meet, Negotiations Begin
--------------


6. (C) Prime Minister Aziz met with senior government
officials and Pakistan's Council of Ulema (respected Islamic
leadership) throughout the night to discuss the Red Mosque
situation. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the JUI-F
political party and Council of Ulema, mediated between
government officials and Red Mosque leader mullah Abdur Ghazi
on July 3 and 4.

EAC and Embassy Action
--------------


7. (C) Post held an Emergency Action Committee at 2:15 PM on
July 4. American personnel in residences in the vicinity of
the Red Mosque will be moved and will stay with other embassy
staff until the area is reopened. The Red Mosque area will
be off-limits for Americans until further notice. A revised
Warden Notice is being distributed, and RSO initiated a phone
cascade on July 4 to ensure all American staff were safe and
accounted for. The EAC agreed security precautions for July
4 activities at the Embassy compound were appropriate, and
the event would continue as planned.

PATTERSON