Pakistan deploys army in Islamabad after protests turn violent
The Pakistan government had to call in the army to restore law and order after clashes between hardline religious groups and the police in Islamabad resulted in the death and injury of 6 and over 200 people respectively. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa are expected to hold a meeting to discuss the situation.
Police and paramilitary forces withdraw after clashes turn violent
The police, aided by paramilitary outfits Pakistan Rangers and the Frontier Constabulary, launched an assault against activists of the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan religious groups who had blocked an important highway in Islamabad for over three weeks. However, the security forces had to withdraw after the clashes turned violent and the army was subsequently deployed.
Clashes leave six dead and over 200 injured
The police and paramilitary forces tried using tear gas and rubber bullets to make the protesters disperse. According to Dawn, at least six people were killed in the clashes. Meanwhile, health officials said that over 200 protesters and 95 security personnel had been injured including nine senior police officers. However, no security personnel was killed.
