The fanatics of the infamous Red Mosque in Islamabad are fighting in the streets with Pakistani troops; at least 12 are dead so far.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 3 — A long-simmering standoff between the government and a radical mosque in the heart of the Pakistani capital exploded into a vicious street clash on Tuesday that left at least 12 dead and dozens more injured.

The clash began in the early afternoon and was continuing into the evening. Heavy gunfire echoed across the normally tranquil capital. Elite government troops fired tear gas canisters to disperse a crowd of thousands who had gathered to show support to the leaders of the pro-Taliban Red Mosque and an affiliated religious school, or madrassa.

Based on early reports, the dead included at least two soldiers, two students, one or two journalists and several bystanders.

The fighting appeared to have started after madrassa students wielding sticks ransacked several government buildings located adjacent to the mosque, which is the oldest in the city. By late afternoon, thick black smoke was still billowing from the environment ministry building. …

The students increasingly have fashioned themselves as a kind of morality police. Earlier this year, they took over a children’s library. Then they abducted three women alleged to be running a brothel and made them publicly confess.

Later, the students issued a fatwa, or edict, against a female government minister for hugging a man who was not her husband. (It was her parachuting instructor.) They labeled local police as spies, and for a time took some officers hostage.