ISLAMABAD: Police and Rangers have successfully cleared the Blue Area in Islamabad after launching a crackdown on protesters who had gathered in the area yesterday. More than 450 individuals were arrested during the operation while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership remained out of sight.

Sources indicated that authorities have so far mainly arrested PTI activists who had allegedly attacked security forces during the protests.

Additionally, a grand operation is reportedly being prepared to arrest more demonstrators in the coming hours.

According to these sources, special teams have been formed to target PTI leaders, including Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, and K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, with plans to apprehend them as part of ongoing security operations.

Special units from the Islamabad Police, Punjab Police, and Rangers have been tasked with capturing the top leadership of PTI, with a strategy already in place to carry out the arrests.

The authorities are focusing their efforts on bringing key figures from PTI to justice amid the continuing standoff.

Authorities also took measures to restrict movement in the vicinity, including closing key markets, including Aabpara and Jinnah Super Market. Vehicles were removed from streets between Khayaban-e-Suharwardy and Aabpara while shops and cars in the Blue Area adjacent to D-Chowk were also cleared as part of the security operation.

The violent unrest followed a large demonstration by PTI supporters demanding the release of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, along with other political grievances. According to reports from local media, the protest turned chaotic as security forces deployed heavy tear gas shelling and conducted arrests to disperse the crowd.

As the authorities ramped up their action, PTI protesters began retreating from D-Chowk, the venue for the party’s highly anticipated power show.

Widespread blackouts in various parts of Islamabad were reported, including D-Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, and surrounding areas. The power outages added to the confusion and disruption during the protest. PTI shared footage on social media alleging that law enforcement had fired on their protesters, with the party accusing the authorities of intensifying the shelling to disperse the crowds.

Videos circulating online showed police and Rangers clashing with protesters, with some reports of injuries.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 27 2024

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