Desist from action against cleric, says intelligence report

Islamabad: Intelligence agencies have warned the government of potential suicide attacks if any military or police action is initiated against the defiant militant cleric of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.

Sources told the Gulf News that an intelligence report submitted to the federal government mentioned that "these two buildings host a large number of trained suicide bombers and a reasonable stockpile of arms... if any action is taken, they may retaliate with suicide attacks, resulting in heavy casualties."

"Maulana Abdul Aziz, prayer leader of Lal Masjid and his brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi, head of Jamia Hafsa, enjoy the complete backing of at least 18 religious seminaries located in the federal capital and receive constant support, in kind, from these seminaries," the report said.

According to the sources, the report also stated that the suicide bombers involved in attacks on a five-star hotel in the capital and at a parking lot of the Islamabad International Airport owed allegiance to the seminary, which has close contacts with Baitullah Mahsood, a known militant from the volatile tribal region who is wanted by the government on charges of terrorism.

"The real cause of concern is that the number of would-be female suicide bombers is quite large compared to male students and, if action were to be taken, at least 150 casualties are feared."

"The situation was being considered more serious than the legal crisis and the government was analysing and monitoring the situation taking into account various aspects of the action," the source added.

The Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa house more than 3,000 female and about 600 male students. Its prayer leader Maulana Abdul Aziz has proclaimed Sharia and established a Sharia court in the premises of mosque.

"The court remains non-functional due to ongoing negotiations with the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain to solve the issue through peaceful means," said Abdul Rashid Ghazi while addressing the media on Saturday.

Government stricture

The Interior Ministry has issued strict orders that if any male or female students of the two seminaries ventures out and threatens shopkeepers to close music, video/CD, or such other businesses, he/she should be arrested immediately.

"The secret agencies have also informed the authorities that the seminary located in the posh and high security E-7 Sector in Islamabad was providing full support to Lal Masjid and its defiant prayer leader. This seminary houses more than 2,000 students," the report concluded.