RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:
Khaki forces have been deployed to provide security in the capital city under Article 245 of the Constitution on the directives of the Ministry of Interior. The decision, therefore, comes against the backdrop of increasing PTI protests to seek the prime minister’s resignation in the capital.
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Official sources report the deployment has been accomplished, with army troops now located throughout Islamabad and the surrounding districts. It implies the responsibilities of the police in patrolling the strategic areas to secure people’s lives and defend property, especially as the prospects of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit are in view.
“These security measures are necessary to safeguard both lives and property and to maintain order during this significant period,” a security spokesperson said. By being obstructive and occasionally confrontational with the authorities through their protestations the PTI protests have escalated to a situation where authorities have had to employ the use of force to restore order.
This caused the police to use tear gas to disperse the workers who were protesting at D-Chowk on behalf of PTI. Many PTI workers were detained at various places among them was the 26 Number Chungi area.
“No one will be allowed to cause anarchy or incite violence,” said the security source further highlighting the significance of the presence of the army to counter the threats posed by the ongoing protests.
On the other hand, army contingents mobilized from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been sent to Islamabad along with some other places as protest situation escalates in the capital over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The action is being taken as part of increased security procedures to safeguard the population and secure the upcoming SCO summit, security officials stated.
“During this elections no one will beat the drum of war or cause any prevention of peace,”, a security officer informed. “These deployments are meant to protect the society, and make sure that law and order prevail,”
With the situation aggravating, the authorities have stepped up pressure on violent formations and armed radicals from both sides of the capital. “It is important to have the military there as a force that can counter any threats to the public,” the official said.
K-P CM Gandapur’s alleged convoy 65 km from Islamabad
The caravan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from now is only 65 kilometers away to join the protest at D- Chowk Islamabad.
It has now come out in the open that police have stepped up operations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers arresting dozens of workers including those from D-Chowk and Chungi No. 26.
To control the crowd that is protesting, the police have been carrying out tear-and-gas operations from time to time, and the situation is still volatile.
Clashes escalate in Islamabad
The PTI workers on Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad pelted stones and sticks at the police and in retaliatory action the police used tear gas to bounce the protesters. The protesters moved back to China Chowk, some throwing what can only be described as glass marbles at the policemen using slingshots. Two armored personnel carriers from Islamabad police were used to disperse the crowd.
At one time the tension is still very much evident in Islamabad as well as in Rawalpindi. Previously, PTI supporters had assembled at D-Chowk and after using tear gas, the police detained six protesters. It added that the number of PTI workers detained across the country is over 30.
Contradictions of Burhan Interchange
Peshawar journalists also reported that at Burhan Interchange, the K-P convoy confronted police officials. The protestors were again dispersed using tear gas to tame them down, and several PTI workers were arrested after trying to enter the capital. Security forces have shut all roads leading to Islamabad by blocking the entrance from Rawalpindi to quell further violence.
Islamabad police admit that three persons were detained in D-Chowk out of which two were common people and one was PTI worker. Gas was used on the protesters as an attempt to force them back; the protesters on the other side responded by chanting anti-riot police’s slogans.
This has led to traffic jam along areas such as the Murree Road being closed for as many as 16 hours in Rawalpindi. For instance, public transport is not on the road, even motorcyclists are struggling due to containers and barricades.
However, defeating the purpose of having a strong security plan in place a female supporter of PTI was able to get through the barriers of D-Chowk where she started chanting in support of PTI and against the incumbent government. Her appearance threw strikes among the police, who immediately arrested her and transferred her to the station.
Major roads, including Cheering Cross, MH Chowk, and Mall Road in Saddar, have been sealed on both sides, while in Rawalpindi, the main points of Flashman Road, Marrir Chowk, and Double Road Stadium are closed.
City Traffic Police Rawalpindi has also urged the people of Rawalpindi not to venture out unnecessarily due to the prevailing situation. Motorcycle is allowed on the federal capital’s major arteries that connect the two cities but it cannot enter the red zone of Islamabad.
When the blockade was imposed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced that it would not be affected and that both domestic and international flights would take place in the normal timeframe. To make sure such situations are avoided, passengers should consider it wise to plan the way to and from airports differently.
in Punjab, Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Sargodha banning political meetings, protests, and demonstrations. Protesters have been reported to be on the street in Rawalpindi, Attock, and Lahore where rangers have been deployed to ensure security.
They have not resumed their journey for Rawalpindi Metro Bus services are still closed, and the ban on motorcycle pillion riding continues all over the city. Islamabad police still maintaining Section 144, they still requested people not participate in unlawful events.
However, for those people who are using the roads to enter or exit Islamabad, it is advised to check the traffic update of the route. It remains so tense and insecure; although PTI protests are still continuing in various places, security forces have been deployed at high alert.
Intensive policing at the family’s house of address 26 Number Chungi
The Islamabad police have increased patrolling at 26 Number Chungi as PTI protests intensify in Islamabad.
As mentioned by the media, DIG Headquarters added 300 more officers to the operation making the total strength of police in the area 750 under the command of Islamabad SSP Operations. The police have been provided with 2,000 tear gas shells besides 12-bore guns and rubber bullets to handle the situation.
There was intense security deployed, but not even a single PTI worker could cross the 26 Number Chungi from morning till 7 in the evening.
IG Islamabad pays his compliments to security forces
IGP Islamabad, Ali Nasir, also visited the site and had interacted with the Rangers, police, and Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel to encourage forces deployed at the site.
Imran was advised that Islamabad police is in possession of antiriot gear, and Rangers were deployed to help. FC personnel are also with Islamabad police for security in the area as well.
Firing of tear gas at Faizabad affects the local people
As such, excessive use of tear gas by police at Faizabad, Rawalpindi has put a lot of pressure on the locals. This, together with other tear gas shells that were launched into residential areas within the expressway, families to complain of difficulty in breathing due to heavy shelling.
Violent faces-off of protesters with police on Murree Road
Due to the night, PTI protesters who had been loitering in back streets began shouting slogans. In response, Rawalpindi police fired tear on Murree Road to force the girls disperse.
Clashes on Motorway M-1
A convoy of PTI workers from Peshawar reached Katti Pahari near the M-1 Motorway when the Attock police fired tear gas from the bridge and the hill. The protesters responded by launching an assault by throwing stones thereby transforming the place into a theatre of war. Some of the police spread containers and trucks and even punctured the tires to slow the protesters down as they parked them on the road.
Regarding Rawalpindi-Attock boundary Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani mobilized a huge police contingent. Taxila point where Elite Force and Dolphin squads are deployed to counter the approaching PTF convoy is shown.
Rawalpindi journalist assaulted by the police
In yet another case, Islamabad police unleashed a serious beating on Dawn News TV journalist Tahir Nasir when the latter was allegedly interviewing the protesters. The police reportedly demanded to see his wallet ‘To check his ID card,’ then assaulted him by slapping him and then head-butting him with a rifle. There was also an effort made to grab his mobile phone.
Escalation of Tensions On Jinnah Avenue
While in Islamabad PTI workers and the police engaged in scuffling on the Jinnah Avenue. The police used tear gas in an effort to chase the protesters away and they moved towards China Chowk. Even workers of PTI pelted stones to the police and some of them used slingshots and fired glass marbles at them. Two armored cars with Islamabad police were sent to the scene.
The unrest persists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi today as the protest continues.
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