Hardcore terrorists hole up inside Lal Masjid: Ijaz

Minister for Religious Affairs Ijaz ul Haq has said that hardcore terrorists involved in various national and international terrorists acts have pitched inside the Lal Masjid. Addressing a press conference here Sunday the minister said their numbers and identities would be disclosed at an appropriate time.
A wanted terrorist involved in attack on the Prime Minister was also killed during second day operation, he added. He said that these elements have taken control of the mosque and bullying the children, taken as hostage, with death threats.
"About 200 to 500 students are estimated to be surrounded and strictly guarded by the terrorists," he added. The minister informed that approximately a total of 200 seminary students have been released by the government so far while about 450 to 500 students are still in the government's custody.
Ijaz said the suggestion to arrange lodging and education facilities for these students at the Model Madrassah in Hajji Camp is being considered. The minister said that all the students of the Jamia Fareediah have left for homes, only the faculty members with their families are kept in protective custody there.
Replying to a question about death claims by Maulana Ghazi, the minister said everybody knows that a rumour factory has been working inside the mosque, which knew how to distract media attention.
"We are ready to send ambulances for the dead bodies and injured ones and this will also expose the truth about the death toll," he added. Coming hard on the demand of safe passage to these elements he said "What kind of safe passage they are talking about! They are reaping what they have harvested."
The government tried every option but the administration of Lal mosque kept on changing their demands, he added. He reiterated government's stance that it was not taking any action against any other seminary in the country. Referring to the issue the minister said government adopted flexible stance due to presence of students inside the mosque.
He said meetings with the renowned religious scholars are also being arranged to secure the safe release of innocent students and avoid bloodshed. The minister informed that Maulana Raffi Usmani and Hafiz Jalandheri have also arrived Islamabad to prevail upon the situation. Moreover, the three members of a committee comprising Ministers for Information, Interior and he himself, are in close touch with one another over the issue, he added.
To another question Ijaz said Jammiat e Islami leaders are again showing their hasty gestures with their irresponsible statements. The minister said government cannot guarantee safety to the ulema delegations due to risky situation there.