By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has directed troops to continue operation against hardline militants in Lal Masjid till mission is accomplished, the private Dawn News TV channel reported Tuesday.
TV reports said around 60 militants have been killed by security forces so far in the operation, launched in the wee hours of Tuesday after negotiations through religious scholars failed to convince the besieged mosque's armed personnel to surrender.
Pakistani army confirmed that eight soldiers died and 29 others were injured in the intense fighting.
Army spokesman Waheed Arshad said the operation could be a slow process as security forces were facing severe resistance from the well-trained and well-equipped militants.
More commandos have been called into Lal Masjid operation, which is being supervised by a lieutenant general, a TV channel said.
Troops are controlling most parts of the Lal Masjid and seminary compound, which includes some 75 rooms and basements, Arshas said.