Areas around Federal Judicial Complex turn into battlefield.

ISLAMABAD -- As former prime minister Imran Khan arrived at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) to attend hearing in the Toshakhana case, at least 25 people were injured, 30 automobiles, including motorbikes, and a police chowki was set on fire during hours-long clashes between the police and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the federal capital.

In violent clashes that mirrored the scene witnessed at Zaman Park earlier this week, a contingent of law enforcers and PTI supporters used anti-riot gear against each other with teargas used from both sides to push the opposing side back. The PTI used rocks against the police alongside petrol bombs to set their vehicles on fire.

The large crowd that descended on the judicial complex gathered on the call of PTI leadership which used social media to urge supporters to reach the judicial complex.

In response, as many as 4,000 personnel, including 700 from FC and 1,000 from the Punjab police, deployed in and around the complex to maintain law and order and stop the gathering from reaching the complex, they added.

Clashes between police, PTI supporters leave 25 injured; property, vehicles set on fire as Imran arrives for hearing

Besides, containers were also put on a service road adjacent to the judicial complex. Besides, barbed wires and barricades were also placed to cordon off the area, they said, adding that law enforcers, including the anti-riot team of police, were also deployed at the complex.

First confrontation

At 10:30am, the first physical confrontation of the day erupted between a group of lawyers and police. However, the police remained calm and did not react.

The PTI's chief entered Islamabad around 1pm and the contingent of police deployed near the Islamabad toll plaza intercepted the gathering accompanying Mr Khan. The second physical confrontation between the law enforcers and the PTI workers took place near the toll plaza. The police retreated and the convoy moved on to G-13.

Another attempt was made at G-13 by the law enforcers to intercept the gathering but that too remained unsuccessful. At the G-11 traffic signal, another attempt by the police to stop the gathering of supporters remained an exercise in futility.

Official jammer vehicle refused

Besides, the officer in-charge deployed at the spot stopped a jammer vehicle escorting Mr Khan and offered an official jammer vehicle, but the security staff of Imran Khan refused this vehicle.

Subsequently, a pitched battle...

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