Police in Pakistan said a harsh Islamist group had taken six security personnel hostage at headquarters in Lahore on Sunday after a week of violent clashes following the arrest of the group’s leader.
The Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) group had given the government an April 20 deadline to expel the French ambassador over the publication of cartoons in France featuring the prophet Mohammed. Authorities responded by arresting the leader, prompting supporters across Pakistan to hold protests and sit-ins. At least four people were killed, hundreds were injured and thousands were arrested. Pakistan banned the group after the violence.
A senior police officer and two paramilitaries were among six detained by (TLP) supporters, Lahore police spokesman Arif Rana told Reuters.
“The TLP activists have two fuel tankers with thousands of gallons of gasoline. They are throwing gasoline bombs and rocks at security officers and also firing bullets that injure 11 officers,” Rana said, adding that the operation was underway.
TLP spokesman Shafiq Amini told Reuters that four supporters were killed by police on Sunday and several others were injured.
Pakistani news outlets are not allowed to report on the group since it was banned last week. Read More
The roads leading to the group’s headquarters in Chowk Yateemkahan in Lahore are blocked.
Still, supporters of TLP have shared videos on social media about what they said were clashes with police on Sunday, and hashtags supporting the group were popular in Pakistan on Sunday.
The videos, which Reuters could not independently verify, showed thousands of protesters clashing with police in riot gear, while clouds of tear gas hung in the air and the crackling of gunfire could be heard. Other videos showed injured protesters being carried away.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the group had done so
has been banned because it “challenges state orders and used street violence and attacked public and law enforcement officials”.
Last week, France advised its citizens to leave Pakistan temporarily for their safety. Read more .
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