ATTACK ON MUSHARRAF / RED MOSQUE STANDOFF CONTINUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002954 SIPDIS SIPDIS DS/ITA DS/IP/SCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2017 TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PK SUBJECT: ATTACK ON MUSHARRAF / RED MOSQUE STANDOFF CONTINUES REF: ISLAMABAD 2934 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Government sources confidentially confirmed that a rocket was fired at President Musharraf's airplane at Chaklala Air Base this morning; the Pakistan Army continues to publicly deny the attack took place. Security forces and militants at the Red Mosque continue to exchange sporadic fire, and mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi refuses to surrender. End Summary. Attack on Musharraf's Airplane -------------- ¶2. (C) Despite Pakistan Army denials, confidential government sources confirmed that on July 6 a rocket was fired at a plane carrying President Musharraf on the runway at Chaklala air base near Rawalpindi. Musharraf was on his way to Turbat, Balochistan to survey damage from recent flooding. In addition, local media reported authorities recovered three anti-aircraft guns and 25 cartridges from the roof of a residence near the air base. See detailed reporting in other channels. Red Mosque Update -------------- ¶3. (U) As of 1600 local time on July 6, security forces and militants at the Red Mosque continue to exchange sporadic fire. Several people have been injured in the fighting; no additional deaths have been confirmed. During the heaviest exchanges overnight, rocket fire from militants damaged an armored personnel carrier, and shelling from security forces breached a wall of the mosque. ¶4. (U) Militant mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi continued to refuse to surrender unconditionally and repeated militant threats during his July 6 Friday sermon inside the Red Mosque. Government forces continue to offer amnesty to those who surrender unconditionally, but only seven additional occupants surrendered on July 6. A strict curfew is still in effect in Islamabad's G-6 sector. Interior Minister Sherpao said only 50 to 60 hardened terrorists remain inside the mosque as well as some women and children. The National Crisis Management Cell sent ambulances to offer medical care to those inside and to remove any bodies from the mosque. The area remains off-limits to Embassy personnel. Islamabad continues to remain calm, and Embassy operations continue at a normal pace. All Mission staff are safe and accounted for. PATTERSON