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 ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - An elite Pakistani army commander was killed Sunday while leading an operation to demolish the perimeter walls of a mosque where an Islamic cleric and his followers have barricaded themselves for the past week.
Troops have been trying to blast holes in the walls in the hopes that women and children inside will escape, but have held back from an all-out assault.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that the government hoped to ensure the safety of the women and children — but he warned the militants they must surrender or face death.
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