Islamabad's Red Mosque compound was attacked in the early hours of Tuesday morning after talks with the hardline Islamists, that were holding around 150 hostages inside, had broken down. Students at the Mosque and attached schools had been defying the authorities for months in their campaign for Sharia Law in the Capital.50 migrants were killed in the attack along with eight soldiers. Loud explosions and gunfire were heard from around 0400 hours (2300 GMT on Monday.) The troops entered from around three different directions whilst crossing fire with millitants.
The Leader of those inside the mosque, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, was believed to have used women and children as human sheilds stated Maj Gen Arshad. Sercurity forces say that now over 70% of the mosque's complex including the roof is now under their control. Currently around 70 millitants have been either captured or have surrendered themselves to the army. Reportedly, the talks broke down over the millitants' demands for amnesty inside the mosque.