3 killed in gun battle between Pak Rangers, Lal Masjid inhabitants(Lead: Lal Masjid)

A Pakistan Rangers personnel and two radical Islamist students have been killed in an ongoing gun battle between security forces and the inhabitants of the controversial Lal Masjid here today.

Islamabad, July 3 : A Pakistan Rangers personnel and two radical Islamist students have been killed in an ongoing gun battle between security forces and the inhabitants of the controversial Lal Masjid here today.

The clashes injured several others with many students hurt by police tear gas, BBC reported.

Firing by both sides is still going, with security forces taking up positions around the mosque.

The incident caused tension in the area resulting in the closure of markets and shops. A traffic jam was also created due to the incident.

Today's exchange of gunfire comes four days after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf claimed that an operation could be launched against the inhabitants of the mosque, because he believed suicide bombers were inside the seminary.

Musharraf had asked the media to guarantee that the blood of any dead or injured would not be screened on television channels during the operation.

He claimed that militants with links to the Jaish-i-Mohammad and the Al Qaeda were hiding inside the mosque and the seminary.

The female students of the Jamia Hafsa which adjoins the madrassa are said to be prepared for suicide attacks, and up to 500 children were being used as human shields to stop the government from contemplating any operation.

The Lal Masjid has been openly defying the government for months, resulting in a tense stand-off.

Recently, thousands of armed police had surrounded it after several policemen were taken hostage by the students of the madrassa, who demanded the release of at least 36 of their associates being held by the government.

This was followed by taking nine Chinese nationals hostage for allegedly running massage parlour.

Earlier, Lal Masjid clerics and students were at the forefront of a campaign to get women to wear veils, and closing shops promoting western attires and music.

ANI