5 killed in Pak as Imran Khan's supporters march to Islamabad, clash with police

The Pakistan government deployed the Army in Islamabad on Tuesday as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan marched toward the capital. The protest march, which began on Sunday and reached Islamabad by Monday evening, sparked violent clashes with police, resulting in the deaths of five security personnel and injuries to many others.

According to local media reports, one police officer was fatally shot, and four paratroopers were run over by protesters. Dozens were injured as the city witnessed heightened tensions, a series of violence, attacks on police and torching of vehicles.

Imran Khan, the PTI chief, had issued a "final call" for nationwide protests starting Sunday, rejecting what he described as a "stolen mandate". The party urged the public to join the demonstrations to "break the shackles of slavery". Protesters, led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, began their march toward Islamabad on Sunday.

The government blocked highways using shipping containers, concrete barriers, and barricades. However, protesters used lifting equipment and heavy machinery to remove the obstacles, pressing forward toward the national capital, leading to violent clashes.

According to provincial police chief Usman Anwar, one police officer was shot dead, at least 119 others were injured, and 22 police vehicles were set on fire in clashes near Islamabad and across Punjab province. Two officers remain in critical condition. The PTI also reported injuries among its supporters.