Hostage drama ends; 42 freed , 20 killed

The dramatic 22-hour siege of the Pakistan Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi ended today after commandos stormed the premises, freeing 42 hostages from Taliban terrorists, whose assault on the top military facility left a total of 20 people, including eight security personnel, dead.

Three hostages were killed in today's firing by terrorists, while two commandos of the elite Special Services Group died during the rescue mission at a building in the premises that ended at around 9.30 am this morning, chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said and added that five terrorists were also killed.

Five security personnel were also injured, he said. A sixth terrorist, identified as Aqeel alias Usman and believed to be the mastermind behind the attack that began yesterday morning, was captured in an injured condition.

Military officials said Aqeel was linked to the March 3 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore and failed attempts on former President Pervez Musharraf's life.

Four terrorists and six soldiers, including a brigadier from Military Intelligence and a lieutenant colonel, were killed during yesterday's fierce gun battle.

In all, at least 20 people were killed during the attack — six armymen, two commandos, nine terrorists and three hostages.

At least two of the terrorists killed this morning were wearing suicide jackets and intended to blow themselves up in the event of an assault by the military, Abbas said.