ISLAMABAD, July 27 (Xinhua) — The Pakistani security forces have taken control of the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, a government official confirmed Friday.
The police have moved people out of the neighborhood of the mosque and arrested a few people, a government official said, adding that the situation was in complete control of security forces.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Chaudhry Muhamamd Ali said the government has reopened the mosque for Friday prayers at the request from the residents. He added that the authorities will decide whether or not to re-impose curfew.
People including some religious students went to the Lal Masjid, which was reopened for prayers after renovation on Friday. They clashed with security forces deployed around the mosque.
The government launched an operation against militants in Lal Masjid on July 10 after efforts to resolve the standoff between religious students and the government ended in failure, and took control of the mosque on July 11.