ISLAMABAD, July 14: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has praised the armed forces for showing ‘bravery, courage and professionalism’ to save innocent lives during the Lal Masjid operation.

Addressing the soldiers who took part in the operation here on Saturday, the president said it was not important if the army had achieved a victory or not. “The elements in the mosque and the madressah were misinterpreting Islam for their own benefit and misleading people.”

Focusing on Pakistan’s Islamic identity, he said: “We are leading our lives according to the true principles of Islam, but there are a few who are exploiting social evils in the name of Islam, which is wrong.”

President Musharraf said the Lal Masjid administration had left the government with no option other than a crackdown by thwarting all efforts for reconciliation.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives during the operation, he said: “I appreciate the courage of soldiers who risked their lives to evacuate innocent students from Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, as it was the policy of the government that a maximum number of lives be saved and that the loss of the lives be kept at a minimum.”

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Durrani, Federal Minister for Interior Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, Federal Minister for Women Development Sumera Malik, Vice-Chief of Army Staff Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azim Khan, Minister of State for interior Zafar Iqbal Warraich and troops of Pakistan Armed Forces, Pakistan Rangers, Police and other officials concerned attended the function.