EX-PM KHAN’S SUPPORTERS STORM PAKISTANI CAPITAL, DEMANDING RELEASE

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (Bernama-dpa) -- At least six members of the security forces were killed when they tried to stop thousands of charged supporters of the jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan from storming the capital Islamabad, officials said on Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).

The members of the paramilitary Rangers were killed after a vehicle ploughed into them as protesters stormed the capital late on Monday night, a spokesman for the capital police said.

Earlier, two policemen were killed on the outskirts of Islamabad whereas more than 100 security officials have been wounded in clashes with the protesters.

Thousands of protesters led by Khan's wife fought pitched battles with riot police, who used tear gas and baton charges to disperse them, officials and the party said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said during a late-night press conference that the government had offered the protesters an alternate venue for their protest. However, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice, PTI) insisted going in front of the parliament house.

The protesters are slowly advancing towards their destination despite stiff resistance from the security forces.

The government has deployed thousands of police officers, paramilitary and army troops and put the capital under an indefinite lockdown since Saturday as Khan’s supporters threatened to release him by force.

The protesters began their march from the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province backed by the regional government on Sunday.

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and is facing trial for allegedly inciting violence on May 9 of that year – the day when his supporters went on a rampage and attacked military installations.

Khan denies the allegations. All of his convictions have been either suspended or overturned in recent months.

-- BERNAMA-dpa