News Desk
ISLAMABAD:The Ministry of Interior has announced the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution due to increasing security concerns in the federal capital.
Authorities have issued strict directives to security forces to act decisively against agitators and miscreants while authorising them to take extreme measures such as shooting rioters on sight.
The interior ministry’s notification has authorised the Pakistan Army to impose a curfew in any locality, if they deem it necessary, to maintain law and order.
After the PTI procession left from Chungi Number 26 towards D-Chow, heightened security measures have been observed in the red zone. Rangers personnel have been positioned in the red zone and media personnel have been moved away from the sensitive area.
Security personnel have been stationed across Islamabad, with some deployed on the rooftops of key buildings.
Some miscreants ran their vehicle over the Rangers personnel on Srinagar Highway, leaving four personnel martyred and five others and two police officers sustained injuries, according to security sources.
Security reports confirmed that such attacks have so far claimed the lives of four Rangers and two police officers, adding that over 100 police personnel have been injured so far. The sources said that the majority of the injured were in a critical state.
The Pakistan Army has been called in under Article 245, the security sources said, adding that strict orders have been issued to deal with the unrest and militants with an iron hand.
Orders to shoot at sight have also been issued, the sources added.
A citizen also lost his life in the incident, per security sources.
Five bodies have been transported to the PIMS Hospital. The deceased include three Rangers personnel, one FC man and a civilian.
The hospital sources said that all five were killed in a road rage incident.
When contacted, police officials present at the hospital declined to comment.
Funeral prayer of cop martyred in ‘attack by protestors’ offered in Rawalpindi
The funeral prayer of police constable Muhammad Mubashir Bilal Shaheed, who was martyred by the protesters, was offered in Rawalpindi Police Lines on Monday night, Radio Pakistan reported.
The funeral was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, senior police officials, as well as various political and social figures.
Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister praised Constable Muhammad Mubashir Bilal’s sacrifice and prayed for his high ranks.
Naqvi, the Corps Commander Rawalpindi and inspector general of Punjab Police laid floral wreaths on the body of the martyred constable.
