Lal Masjid chief cleric gave vital clues: report

Controversial Lal Masjid's chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz, who had tried to escape from the mosque disguised in a burqa, provided the government with vital clues before the security forces stormed the complex.

The information gleaned from Aziz during interrogation played a key role in tracking the network of militants inside Lal Masjid premises, The News said Wednesday.

The government's chief military spokesman, Director General, Inter Services Public Relations, Maj Gen Waheed Arshad briefed the Pakistan cabinet Tuesday and said that Aziz had confessed "harbouring high value targets carrying head money in millions".

A cabinet source told the News that the ministers were briefed about the presence of foreign militants. They were also told about how the Lal Masjid brigade used to operate and the number of tunnels dug under the complex.

According to the source, Aziz gave an overview of the people living inside, their strategic positions and the kind of militants supporting their cause.

Aziz had been caught last week while trying to flee the Lal Masjid complex in a burqa, along with a crowd of women and children.

First Published: Jul 11, 2007 12:22 IST