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ISLAMABAD - A fresh series of blasts and gunfire erupted at Pakistan's besieged Red Mosque early Saturday, officials and AFP correspondents said.
The intense gunfire and explosions were heard several kilometres away in the capital Islamabad and flames and smoke were seen rising from the mosque complex, they said.
Officials said security forces had not stormed the mosque yet.
"We are not making any advances, this is part of the operation to secure the release of women and children held hostage by the cleric," a security official told AFP.
Militant students lobbed grenades and petrol bombs at the security forces, who responded by firing, he added.
It was not immediately known if there were any new casualties.
The renewed gunfire and blasts which came after a seven-hour lull, created panic among residents.
Police warned citizens within a three-kilometre (two-mile) radius not to stand on rooftops to watch the fire and smoke as they could be hit by stray bullets.
Abdul Rashid Ghazi, deputy leader of the pro-Taliban Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque has vowed not to give himself up to government forces as the bloody confrontation which has already claimed 19 lives entered a fifth day.
The government rejected a conditional surrender offer Thursday night by Ghazi, whose brother Abdul Aziz was captured on Wednesday while trying to flee the mosque dressed in a burqa.
- AFP /ls
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