Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2960
2007-07-07 08:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
RED MOSQUE -- SITREP JULY 7, NOON LOCAL
how-toVZCZCXRO5751 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #2960 1880822 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 070822Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0282 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7291 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1305 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 6620 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 2800 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 1218 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2625
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002960
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/ITA
DS/IP/SCA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE -- SITREP JULY 7, NOON LOCAL
REF: ISLAMABAD 2954 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002960
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/ITA
DS/IP/SCA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE -- SITREP JULY 7, NOON LOCAL
REF: ISLAMABAD 2954 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The strict curfew in the area around the
Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) remains in effect as of noon on
Saturday, July 7. Gunfire and explosions continued
intermittently overnight. After a several-hour lull Saturday
morning, sporadic exchange of fire resumed. The rest of
Islamabad continues to operate as normal. All Mission staff
are safe and accounted for. Investigations continue into the
circumstances surrounding the shots fired at one of
Pakistan's presidential aircraft July 6. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Explosions in the vicinity of the Red Mosque
occurred around 19:00 Friday and again at around 01:00
Saturday morning. Gunfire continued intermittently
overnight. Government forces may have blasted gaps in the
mosque's perimeter walls to facilitate the escape of
occupants who want to surrender. After a several-hour lull
July 7 morning, sporadic exchange of fire resumed.
3. (SBU) On Friday evening July 6, the Interior Ministry gave
official figures of 19 dead and 98 injured so far as a result
of the confrontation. Authorities on the scene have not
shared updated information regarding any casualties at the
scene overnight. The Ministry also reported 1,221 people had
surrendered (795 men and 426 women) as of Friday evening.
The pace of surrenders slowed on July 6, with estimates
ranging from 13 to 20 people coming out of the Red Mosque.
Government sources have issued no new information regarding
the number of militants and others who remain in the mosque.
4. (SBU) The government appears to be maintaining steady
pressure on the Red Mosque to force the unconditional
surrender of extremist cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi and his
militant cohort. Water, gas and electricity to the mosque
remain cut. Political, religious and civil society leaders
have galvanized to put pressure on Ghazi to release women and
children who remain in the Red Mosque against their will.
5. (SBU) RSO confirms that the strict curfew in Islamabad's
G-6 sector remains in effect. All Mission staff are safe and
accounted for. The 16 personnel whose residences are located
in G-6 continue to stay at colleagues' houses. Businesses
are operating normally in the rest of the capital.
6. (U) Police have recovered shell casings from the machine
gun used to fire shots at one of the Pakistani presidential
aircraft July 6. Police have arrested two people in
connection with the incident. The aircraft was not hit by
gunfire and President Musharraf continued on his journey to
visit flood-affected areas in Turbat.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/ITA
DS/IP/SCA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: RED MOSQUE -- SITREP JULY 7, NOON LOCAL
REF: ISLAMABAD 2954 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The strict curfew in the area around the
Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) remains in effect as of noon on
Saturday, July 7. Gunfire and explosions continued
intermittently overnight. After a several-hour lull Saturday
morning, sporadic exchange of fire resumed. The rest of
Islamabad continues to operate as normal. All Mission staff
are safe and accounted for. Investigations continue into the
circumstances surrounding the shots fired at one of
Pakistan's presidential aircraft July 6. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Explosions in the vicinity of the Red Mosque
occurred around 19:00 Friday and again at around 01:00
Saturday morning. Gunfire continued intermittently
overnight. Government forces may have blasted gaps in the
mosque's perimeter walls to facilitate the escape of
occupants who want to surrender. After a several-hour lull
July 7 morning, sporadic exchange of fire resumed.
3. (SBU) On Friday evening July 6, the Interior Ministry gave
official figures of 19 dead and 98 injured so far as a result
of the confrontation. Authorities on the scene have not
shared updated information regarding any casualties at the
scene overnight. The Ministry also reported 1,221 people had
surrendered (795 men and 426 women) as of Friday evening.
The pace of surrenders slowed on July 6, with estimates
ranging from 13 to 20 people coming out of the Red Mosque.
Government sources have issued no new information regarding
the number of militants and others who remain in the mosque.
4. (SBU) The government appears to be maintaining steady
pressure on the Red Mosque to force the unconditional
surrender of extremist cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi and his
militant cohort. Water, gas and electricity to the mosque
remain cut. Political, religious and civil society leaders
have galvanized to put pressure on Ghazi to release women and
children who remain in the Red Mosque against their will.
5. (SBU) RSO confirms that the strict curfew in Islamabad's
G-6 sector remains in effect. All Mission staff are safe and
accounted for. The 16 personnel whose residences are located
in G-6 continue to stay at colleagues' houses. Businesses
are operating normally in the rest of the capital.
6. (U) Police have recovered shell casings from the machine
gun used to fire shots at one of the Pakistani presidential
aircraft July 6. Police have arrested two people in
connection with the incident. The aircraft was not hit by
gunfire and President Musharraf continued on his journey to
visit flood-affected areas in Turbat.
PATTERSON