Violence Erupts in Islamabad as TLP Claims 11 Killed in Protests

Violence unfolded in Pakistan on October 13, 2023, as clashes erupted between police and supporters of the radical Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The party claims that police shot and killed 11 of its members during a march intended to protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The situation escalated after TLP supporters, numbering between 10,000 and 15,000, attempted to march from Azadi Chowk in Lahore towards Islamabad, where they aimed to stage a demonstration outside the US Embassy. According to TLP chief Saad Rizvi, the police response was excessively violent, resulting in numerous casualties among protesters. He stated, “Police shot dead 11 TLP supporters and 20 others have bullet wounds. The whole of Pakistan is asking why you are opening fire on us.”

Authorities in Punjab reported that at least 40 police officers were injured during the confrontations, which began two days prior to the march. A senior police officer informed the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the most intense clashes occurred between the Shahdara and Muridke areas, close to Lahore. The officer added that in an effort to control the situation, authorities dug trenches along major routes, including the GT Road in Kharian city and near the Jhelum bridge at Sarai Alamgir.

Despite these efforts, TLP supporters were able to breach police blockades using heavy vehicles, including cranes believed to belong to government departments. Videos circulating on social media depicted chaotic scenes, with police officers taking cover as confrontations escalated. One video showed an injured officer bleeding on the ground after being struck during the clashes.

In response to the escalating violence, police set up barriers along the march route, but TLP members managed to dismantle some of these roadblocks. Rizvi, who avoided arrest, continues to lead what the TLP has termed the “TLP million march” towards the capital.

The Punjab police have not yet issued a statement addressing the TLP’s claims about the fatalities and injuries. As tensions rise, the situation remains fluid, with the potential for further clashes in the coming days. The events in Pakistan highlight the deepening divisions within the country over international conflicts, particularly regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza.