Five security personnel lost their lives and numerous individuals, including police officers, sustained injuries in Pakistan when followers of imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan advanced towards the capital on Monday and persisted with their demonstration on Tuesday.
The government deployed the army in Islamabad as the protesters promised to continue advancing.
The demonstration led by Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi, starting on Sunday and arriving in Islamabad by Monday night, experienced confrontations with police and security personnel.
On Tuesday, the demonstrators continued their procession towards D-Chowk, near various important structures in the capital city, where they intend to assemble.
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Local media reports indicate that a police officer was killed by gunfire, and four paratroopers were struck by demonstrators. Numerous people were hurt as the city experienced increased tensions, a string of violent incidents, assaults on law enforcement, and setting fire to vehicles as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters moved towards the capital.
Imran Khan, the leader of PTI, called for nationwide protests to begin on Sunday, refusing to accept what he called a “fraudulent victory.”
The party encouraged the public to participate in the protests in order to “break free from the chains of slavery”. Demonstrators, under the guidance of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, started their journey towards Islamabad on Sunday.
The government used shipping containers, concrete barriers, and barricades to obstruct highways. Nevertheless, demonstrators utilized lifting apparatus and large machinery to clear the barriers, advancing towards the country’s main city, resulting in violent confrontations.