Oct 11 Pakistan

Bloody siege at Pakistan army HQ ends with 19 dead
AP

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Pakistani army troops return back to base camp after conducting an operation AP – Pakistani army troops return back to base camp after conducting an operation their own army's headquarters …

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By ZARAR KHAN and NAHAL TOOSI, Associated Press Writers Zarar Khan And Nahal Toosi, Associated Press Writers – 25 mins ago

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – Pakistani commandos freed dozens of hostages held by militants at the army's own headquarters Sunday, ending a bloody, 22-hour drama that embarrassed the nation's military as it plans a new offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban.

At least 19 people died in the standoff, including three captives and eight of the militants, who wore army fatigues in the audacious assault. The rescue operation began before dawn Sunday, ultimately freeing 42 hostages, the military said.

One attacker, described as the militants' ringleader, was captured.

The attack on the nerve center of the army, Pakistan's most powerful institution, showed the continued strength of insurgents allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban despite military operations and U.S. missile strikes that have battered their ranks. It was the third major attack in Pakistan in a week.

The government said the siege only steeled its resolve to go through with an offensive in South Waziristan, a tribal region along the Afghan border and a major militant stronghold. The U.S. and Pakistan's other Western allies want Islamabad to take more action against insurgents also blamed for soaring attacks on U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.