Pakistan divided over storming of the Lal Masjid

Excerpts from India Tonight on CNBC-TV18 Watch the full show »

The Pakistani army has stormed the Lal Masjid on the order of General Pervez Musharraf to smoke out the pro-Taliban students holed in there. So, what has been the verdict of the the Pakistani people and media on this move?

Editor, Daily Times, Najum Sethi told CNBC-TV18, "There is a split in society and in the media. A lot of people think that the government did the right thing. Many others think that they should have been given safe passage. Some people even think that the government scripted much of this and lost control."

This military action caused destruction and cost a lot of lives. Almost 50 army personnel are believed to have lost their lives. So, is the army worried or taking this in their stride? Military analyst, Ayesha Siddiqa says they would be takling it in their stride. She adds, "Opinion is divided and a majority of the people support this action.

Author and commentator, Mohammed Shezad feels that the public may be relieved because they have waited for such radical elements to be flushed out for a long time now. So, even if Musharraf has orchestrated this as Sethi believes he has to a certain extent, so that the public's attention can be diverted from the 'Chief Justice' problems.

It may also signal the end of the cosy mullah-militants relationship that been part of Pakistan's political fabric. Musharraf may be doing this as a result of pressure from China and the US, and the mullahs who sided with militants for so long and did it with state protection, will not give up the fight so easily.

Which is why, the Lal Masjid is taking so long. The government had said it was going to be a  major operation. The army was fighting battle hardened warriors and not innocent students and civilians caught in between a rock and a hard place, as was claimed by those people who were against this operation to begin with.