Date: November 28, 2024
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Violent clashes between PTI supporters and security forces in Islamabad have left at least six people dead and scores injured. PTI claims the deaths were a result of police brutality, while the government denies any direct action against protesters.
Violence Erupts Amid PTI Protest
A day of intense confrontation between PTI protesters and security forces in Islamabad ended with the party’s leadership retreating from the Red Zone early on Wednesday. At least six people, including a policeman and three Rangers officials, lost their lives over the three-day protests, while dozens of others were reported injured.
Both government and opposition continue to hurl allegations and counter-allegations, blaming each other over cause of deaths. PTI claims that many of their supporters were killed due to the security forces’ fire while PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja says around 20 party supporters had been killed. PTI Alleges Over-Use of Power
In an emotional post in social media platform X, PTI declared that “a dozen innocent protesters have been confirmed dead” and alleged that hundreds were missing and thousands more injured, many in critical condition. PTI leaders had accused the government of trying to erase evidence of the violence while claiming that the deaths have been caused by police shooting unarmed protesters.
As said in the post, “authorities are denying releasing bodies and are even erasing all evidence of the brutality”. The post says the protesters were only practicing their freedom to protest peacefully.
Different Accounts From Security Forces
In rebuttal, Rawalpindi police arranged a press conference denying claims that they had fired on protesters. Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa said police acted in self-defense when they were attacked by protesters who fired firearms and used tear gas on them. According to police, the November 24 protest started peacefully but turned violent when protesters fired on law enforcement officers, injuring 170 police personnel.
The police further claimed that despite the violence, they refrained from using lethal force, with no reported injuries among protesters in Rawalpindi. “Police did not return fire and attempted to control the situation without causing harm to the protesters,” RPO Alpa said.
Arrests, Violence, and Continued Clashes
Rawalpindi police have confirmed that over 1,000 protesters have been arrested since November 24. Police vehicles have been set on fire by protesters and violent attacks using sticks and metal rods. Even though security forces had retreated, clashes persisted at Kati Pahari and the Rawalpindi police were forced to withdraw from areas of mounting violence.
The police personnel are also seriously injured. Around 170 policemen, even senior officers, have suffered injuries. Constable Mubashar Bilal is martyred in the protest. The condition of several police persons is also very critical.
Casualties mount, tensions prevail
Hospital reports keep pouring in, confirming a rising toll of casualties. PTI maintains that security forces were responsible for the deaths, but hospitals and police sources have yet to confirm the exact cause. No fatalities have been officially confirmed by government hospitals as of Thursday morning, but reports of critical injuries among protesters continue.
Police: We Acted in Self-Defense
Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Mehmood Hamdani during a press briefing said that they had retreated strategically to prevent more casualties. Their officers were being fired at directly from the protesters, and they were making tough decisions to protect lives.
CPO Hamdani further said that the protesters had tried to march towards Adiala Jail, threatening to destabilize the region. He further said that no protester from Attock police had been injured, indicating that the law enforcement acted with restraint.
Recoveries and Evidence from Protesters
The police also recovered looted equipment that protesters supposedly took from the police as well as civilians. According to DPO Sardar Ghias Gul Khan, “We are continuing our investigation and will share more details as the situation unfolds.”
But despite such claims, PTI continues asking for accountability and transparency from the government since it is adamant that many innocent protesters have been killed or severely hurt in the clashes.
With the situation still volatile, it remains to be seen how the government handles the protests. It is still unclear whether the protests will continue or worsen as PTI leaders continue to pledge to move forward with their demands for justice.
