At least three Pakistani cops were injured in clashes with supporters of Tehreek-i- Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi during attempts to arrest the extremist leader.
According to a report in Dawn, violence broke out when enraged TLP supporters attacked policemen with stones and iron rods in Lahore. The cops responded with tear-gas shelling, leading to what's being described as a "battleground-like" scene.
Videos circulating on social media show TLP leaders hurling bricks at the cops and running away after the police fired tear gas shells.
The group had earlier announced a massive anti-Israel protest outside the US embassy in Islamabad on Friday, prompting cops to launch a pre-emptive crackdown. Dawn reported that the Islamabad administration started placing shipping containers at the historic site of several TLP sit-ins.
In a statement released early Thursday, TLP alleged that several of its workers had been arrested and strongly condemned what it called police raids on the homes of its supporters.
According to police sources, the group had summoned a large number of activists to Lahore, where many had gathered in temporary shelters.
When police teams moved in to search the TLP headquarters, the crowd reportedly resisted, leading to violent clashes.
Armed with stones, clubs and iron rods, the agitated TLP supporters managed to push security personnel back, Dawn reported.
Saad Rizvi, the leader of TLP, is a hardline Islamist political figure known for his stance on issues related to blasphemy and the defence of the Prophet Muhammad.
Rizvi had once sparked controversy when he urged Pakistanis to “take up arms” against India. Rizvi declared that “your desi bandook will do the wonders that their rifles can't,” calling on people to be ready to fight with faith and intent rather than fear India’s military strength.
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