Army warns PTI protesters not to enter Red Zone, D-Chowk

The Army has warned protesters drawing close to Islamabad to refrain from entering Red Zone and D-Chowk as these were "officials areas" where entry is restricted, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Earlier, the government called in the Army after three Rangers personnel were martyred and five others injured when PTI protesters rammed their vehicle into the paramilitary soldiers on duty during PTI’s rally at Srinagar Highway in Islamabad Monday night.

According to security sources, two policemen have already been martyred and over 100 injured while countering the violent protesters. As many as 22 vehicles of Punjab police were damaged in the violent attacks of the PTI protesters.

The security sources said the Army troops have been called in under Article 245 of the Constitution and orders have been issued to deal with the miscreants with iron hands.

The Army troops made announcements at the D-Chowk asking the protesters to refrain from entering the Red Zone.

The announcements which were made in both Urdu and Pashto languages called on the protesters that D-Chowk and Red Zone area official areas, therefore “do not come here”.

Security forces fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets Tuesday at thousands of PTI protesters, who were armed with sticks and slingshots and who took on police in western Islamabad, less than three kilometres from the government enclave they aim to occupy.

The PTI miscreants’ attacks on law enforcement agencies have claimed lives of three Rangers and two police personnel. According to security sources, miscreants rammed a vehicle into Rangers personnel resulting in the martyrdom of four Rangers officials during PTI’s protest on Srinagar Highway in Islamabad in the wee hours of Tuesday. Five other Rangers personnel and several police officials sustained severe injuries.

Meanwhile, a bunch of miscreants, equipped with weapons and ammunition, pelted stones on the Rangers personnel and carried out indiscriminate firing on the security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi.

Resultantly, a Ranger personnel sustained serious injuries. He was shifted to the CMH Rawalpindi in critical condition.

The security forces claimed that shoot-at-sight orders against anarchists and miscreants were given. All measures should be taken to quell any terrorist activities by the miscreants, the security sources added.

Meanwhile, Islamabad police have arrested a man who crushed Rangers personnel under his vehicle resulting in martyrdom of four jawans.

According to sources, the detainee was identified as Hashim son of Asim who is a resident of F-10 Sector.

The sources further said the police have also taken his vehicle into custody and shifted both to Margalla Police Station.

Miscreants resorted to unprovocative firing and stone-pelting on Rangers and police personnel at Chungi No 26.

A case has been registered at Taxila police station regarding death of the police constable. The case was registered under Anti-Terrorism Act and other provisions.

PTI founder Imran Khan, KP CM Amin Ali Gandapur, Salar Khan Kakar and Shahid Khattak were booked in the case.

The Article 245 of the Constitution says:

 

The security has been tightened at Islamabad’s D-Chowk keeping in view the PTI’s protest rally. Pakistan Army troops were also patrolling at the D-Chowk. The Army soldiers have also taken positions on buildings at D-Chowk.

Earlier, thousands of protesters calling for the release of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan defied roadblocks and tear gas to march to the gates of the federal capital early Tuesday.

Islamabad has been locked down since late Saturday, with mobile internet sporadically cut and more than 20,000 police flooding the streets, many armed with riot shields and batons.

Last week, the Islamabad city administration announced a two-month ban on public gatherings. But PTI convoys travelled from their powerbase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, hauling aside roadblocks of stacked shipping containers.

In the early hours of Tuesday, protesters were clashing with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at a western motorway entry to Islamabad.

"We are deeply frustrated with the government, they do not know how to function," 56-year-old protester Kalat Khan told AFP earlier in the day. "The treatment we are receiving is unjust and cruel."

The government cited "security concerns" for the mobile internet outages, while Islamabad's schools and universities were also ordered to shut on Monday and Tuesday.

"Those who will come here will be arrested," Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters late Monday at D-Chowk, the public square outside Islamabad's government buildings that PTI aims to occupy.

 

Ring Road again closed in Lahore

The Ring Road was again shut down in Lahore on Tuesday.

According to police sources, the step was taken keeping in view the law and order situation.

The Rind Road was reopened for traffic on Monday evening.

Violent acts continue

Violent acts on the part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers were continuing in Islamabad under the guise of protest. Multiple videos of the protest sites clearly showed that vandalism and arson were carried out in a planned manner. PTI workers attacked government property, inflicting irreparable loss.

The police have arrested several violent protesters, while process of identifying the perpetrators was underway.

Reporters Awais Kiyani. Ahmad Mansoor, Tayyab Saif, Ershad Qureshi, Abid Chaudhry and Hashar Warraich/AFP