By Xinhua
Islamabad : Authorities in the Pakistani capital Wednesday reopened the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) three months after it was closed in the wake of deadly clashes between the security forces and radical elements holed up inside the mosque, the News Network International (NNI) news agency reported.
Police removed barbed wires and cemented blocks around the Lal Masjid and reopened it for noon prayers.
The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered the government to reopen it for morning prayers.
The mosque remained closed in the morning and around 300 people offered prayers on the main road outside the mosque.
Hundreds of residents in the neighbourhood and religious students offered prayers as police were deployed around the mosque.
The Supreme Court also ordered the reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa at the same site, which was demolished by the government after an operation in July.
The security forces on July 10 launched a major operation against militants in the mosque who refused to surrender.
It was opened for Friday prayers on July 27 but was re-occupied by students, who forced the government appointed Imam to leave the mosque.