Pakistani Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said Friday that Lal Masjid, or the Red Mosque, would be closed for indefinite period.
The government had opened the Masjid for Friday prayers after renovation, Cheema said when briefing a news conference. He added that it was opened for all the prayers and the law enforcement authorities made strict arrangements for their protection.
Cheema said Maulana Ashfaq was appointed for only Juma prayer and he was a non-disputed personality, but miscreants did not allow him to lead the Juma prayers.
He said government was well aware about those involved in creating law and order situation. Most of the miscreants were those who were released after the operation, Cheema said, adding that the government would meet them with iron hands and would not allow any one to take law in his own hand.
People including some religious students went to the Lal Masjid on Friday when it was reopened for prayers after renovation. They refused to offer prayers under the leadership of Maulana Ashfaq who was appointed by the government. Chanting anti-government slogans in protest, some people clashed with security forces deployed around the mosque.
At least 13 people died and 61 others suffered injuries in a suicide bombing on Friday afternoon in a market approximately five minutes walk from the Lal Masjid.
The standoff between Lal Masjid religious students and the government started on July 3 when the students tried to snatch arms from security forces deployed around the mosque and triggered crossfires.
The government launched an operation against militants inside the mosque on July 10 after its efforts to negotiate with them ended in failure. The security forces take full control of the mosque on July 11.
Source: Xinhua
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