Pakistani police said a harsh Islamist group had taken six security personnel hostage at its Lahore headquarters 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 a deadline of April 20 to expel the French ambassador for publishing cartoons in France depicting the Prophet Mohammad. Authorities responded by arresting their leader, prompting supporters to hold protests and sit-ins across Pakistan. At least four people were killed, hundreds injured and thousands detained. Pakistan banned the group after the violence.
A senior police officer and two paramilitaries were among the six detained by supporters of (TLP), Lahore police spokesman Arif Rana told Reuters.
“TLP activists have two fuel tanker trucks containing thousands of gallons of petrol. They are throwing petrol and stone bombs at security officials and also firing bullets as a result of which 11 officials are injured,” Rana said. adding that the operation was in progress.
TLP spokesman Shafiq Amini told Reuters that four supporters had been killed by police on Sunday and that several others had been injured.
Pakistani news channels have been banned from covering the group since it was banned last week. Read more, and on Sunday mobile phone and Internet services were in the area where clashes were taking place.
Roads leading to the group’s headquarters in Chowk Yateemkahan, Lahore, have been blocked.
Still, TLP supporters have been sharing videos on social media about what they said were clashes with police on Sunday, and the hashtags supporting the group were trending in Pakistan on Sunday.
The videos, which Reuters could not independently verify, showed thousands of protesters clashing with police in riot gear, while tear gas clouds could be heard in the air and gunshots could be heard. Other videos showed injured protesters being carried away.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said yes
it has been banned because it “defied state writing and used street violence and attacked the public and law enforcement.”
Last week France advised its citizens to leave Pakistan temporarily for their safety. Read more.
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