Abdul Rashid Ghazi is Dead

Photo of Abdul Rashid Ghazi courtesy of the BBC

BBC: A Pakistani cleric leading militants battling troops at Islamabad's Red Mosque, has been killed, Interior Ministry officials say.

Abdul Rashid Ghazi's body was found in the basement of the mosque, hours after troops stormed it, officials said.

The army says up to 50 militants and eight soldiers have been killed, and about 50 women and children rescued.

Students at the mosque and its attached religious schools have waged a campaign for months pressing for Sharia law. Pakistani rebel cleric 'killed' (more)

Mark Alexander