Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf addresses the nation in Islamabad July 12, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    ISLAMABAD, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 85 people lost their lives in the operation against Lal Masjid militants, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in a national address on Thursday night.

    The security forces lost 10 members of the Special Services Group and another 33 suffered injuries in the operation, Musharraf said, adding that a total of 75 Lal Masjid militants were killed.

    Musharraf also said the loss of lives was regrettable, and those who were killed by security forces were not the enemies but the misguided people of Pakistan.

    The president disclosed that the last-ditch efforts made by the government to negotiate with Abdul Rashid Ghazi, deputy chief of hard-line Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, failed because he wanted amnesty and safe passage for himself and his companions including foreigners.  

President: Pakistan to defeat extremism and terrorism

    ISLAMABAD, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The extremism and terrorism will be defeated in every corner of Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf said Thursday in a national address.

    The operation against the Lal Masjid, or the Red Mosque, will not eliminate extremism and terrorism from the society but the government's resolve is unwavering in defeating the menace in every province and corner of the country, Musharraf said when addressing the nation on radio and television on Thursday night. Full story