Pakistani commandos stormed Islamabad’s Red Mosque compound today, sparking a fierce fight with militants accused of holding about 150 hostages inside.

THE top-ranking cleric of a radical mosque besieged by government forces in Pakistan’s capital rejected calls for an unconditional surrender yesterday, saying he and his die-hard followers were ready for martyrdom.

The siege of a radical mosque in Pakistan’s capital entered its third day today after troops rocked the complex with gunfire and explosions and Islamic militants holed up inside rejected government calls to surrender.

Several explosions were heard near a radical mosque besieged by security forces in the Pakistani capital Islamabad this morning.

The chief cleric of a radical mosque in Islamabad was arrested and more than 1,000 of his followers surrendered today as troops backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters tightened their siege of the complex, officials said.

The chief cleric of the radical mosque besieged by security forces in the Pakistani capital Islamabad today was caught trying to slip away wearing a woman’s burqa, a senior official said.

Leaders of a besieged radical mosque in Pakistan remained defiant today as a deadline calling for their immediate surrender passed, a day after clashes there killed at least nine people.

Security forces clashed with Islamic students outside a radical mosque in the Pakistani capital Islamabad today, triggering gunfire that killed nine people, including four of the militant students, a senior official said.

Security forces clashed with militants outside a radical mosque in the Pakistani capital today, triggering gunfire that killed two police officers and one soldier.

Radical Islamic students freed nine people, including three Chinese women, hours after kidnapping them today from a massage parlour in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, officials said.

JOY at the capture of Saddam Hussein gave way to resentment toward Washington yesterday as Iraqis confronted afresh the bloodshed, shortages and soaring prices of life under American occupation.

Coleraine's Intertoto Cup adventure came to a halt as Troyes inflicted a second 2-1 defeat on the Northern Irishmen in a week.

Newcastle's Uefa Cup hopes are in the balance after a goalless draw in France against Troyes in the first leg of the Intertoto Cup final.s