2007年VOA标准英语-Pakistan Mosque Leader Vows to Continue Standof（在线收听）
Islamabad
08 July 2007
Pakistani commandos blasted fresh holes in the walls around an Islamabad mosque where armed militants are reportedly holding hundreds of women and children hostage. Officials say they hope at least some of the people inside will be able to escape through the holes. But as VOA Correspondent Benjamin Sand reports from Islamabad, the militant leader in the mosque vows to continue the standoff that began Tuesday.
Arrested Pakistan's religious students arrive at sports complex from Adiala jail to be handed over to their families, 8 Jul 2007
Cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi says he and his supporters inside the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, would rather die than surrender.
The pro-Taleban leader released a statement Sunday saying he hoped his death would provoke an Islamic revolution throughout Pakistan.
On Saturday, President Pervez Musharraf issued a blunt ultimatum to the mosque's leaders.
He says anyone inside the mosque should come out and surrender, and if they do not, they will be killed.
Thousands of troops have surrounded the mosque. Explosions and gunfire continued throughout the night and early Sunday.
An elite Pakistani commando was killed during the latest operation as officials struggle to free women and children they say are being held hostage in the mosque.
The militants' leader says no one is being held against their will and says at least 70 people in the mosque have died.