91 people, including 10 security personnel, have so far been killed in the 36-hour military operation to flush out Islamic extremists holed up in the Lal Masjid, Pakistan military said on Wednesday night.

Those killed also included 73 militants, Defence Spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad said.

73 bodies of militants were recovered. Eight of the bodies were charred beyond recognition, he said.

Arshad also said 10 commandos were killed and 33 injured in the operation.

No bodies of woman including that of Ghazi's mother have been recovered, he said adding all bodies have been handed over to the civil administration for identification.

Asked about the government's claims that hundreds of women and children were holed up inside he said 86 people, including several women and children, and the family members of cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi and brother Abdul Aziz were "rescued" from the complex.

Explosions and gunfire were heard throughout Tuesday night and even Wednesday even though Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the cleric who headed the resistance was declared killed on Tuesday.

Army and paramilitary Rangers have only provided back up from outsides while the commando unit comprising of 164 personnel of special services division conducted the operation, he said.