PTI

Islamabad, Jul 9: Fifty hardcore militants among the several hundred holed up in the Lal Masjid put on suicide jackets and geared up to resist any raid on the complex amid reports that President Pervez Musharraf has given a go ahead for troops to storm the facility to end the six-day long stand-off.

Reports in Islamabad quoted intelligence officials as saying that 50 hardcore militants have donned suicide jackets while others armed with a host of weapons, including rocket launchers took positions.

Meanwhile, the death of Lt Col Haroon-ul-Islam, head of the operational wing of the paramilitary Special Security Group, (SSG) and injuries to a Major in an operation proved to be last straw for the military as Musahrraf at a high-level meeting given a final okay to the military commanders on the ground to raid the complex.

Officials said Musharraf made it clear to the military officials that no safe passage would be given Deputy Administrator of Lal Masjid Abdul Rasheed Ghazi but at the same time directed the troops to ensure safety of women and children who were holed up there.

They, however, have not disclosed exact date and time for the operation which may even take place late Sunday.

The news of the operational clearance came after Pakistan Religious Affairs Minister said foreign militant who could be from al Qaeda occupied Lal Masjid.

Appearing undaunted despite relentless bombardment Deputy Administrator of the mosque, Abdul Rashid Ghazi told reporters here that 335 persons were killed due to heavy firing from the government.

Ghazi said that 310 female and 25 male students were killed in overnight army bombing of the compound of Lal Masjid the girls seminary "Jamia Hafsa" attached to it.

Giving the shocking figures, Ghazi who interacts with the media over the phone from his bunker in the mosque said all the killed were buried with in the mosque complex.

Army spokesperson Major General Waheed Arshad denied casualties claim and said the shelling was aimed at cresting holes in the compound walls to allow the hostage students to flee. Ghazi claimed that roofs of two rooms where the they stayed collapsed on them causing heavy casualties.

Interior Ministry spokesman not used any heavy bombs and tried to blow holes of the walls. Meanwhile state run PTV announced that 12 girls in mosque are on hunger strike. The women were kept in the basement. Three girls were shot dead when they tried to escape.

Reports also said over 200 women were being held as hostage.

Ghazi, however, continued to remain defiant but spoke willingness to give up if a special bench of the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing the petition of the suspended chief justice, Iftikar M Chahdhry conducted trial against him and others.

Haq has rejected the "offer" of Ghazi saying that the cleric was inconsistent with his offers and the government wants all of them to give up and face the cases.

Referring to Ghazi s insistence for safe passage he said such things were being given to people involved in hijacking of planes are committing terrorist acts in other countries.

Haq, the son of former military ruler, Zia ul Haq told the reporters here on Sunday that "if they are asking for safe passage I would like to ask which country willing to accept them and how can the government afford to let them go as they will start all over the same," he said.