Pakistan: Supporters of Imran Khan clash with police in violent midnight crackdown, six security personnel killed

World News: Supporters of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan were subjected to a violent midnight crackdown by police in Islamabad, forcing them to end their protest demanding his release. The clashes between the protesters and security forces left six police officers dead and dozens injured, according to reports.

Midnight Police Operation Escalates Tensions

The violence erupted after supporters of Imran Khan had gathered near D-Chowk, located close to crucial government buildings such as the President's Office and the Prime Minister’s residence. The police, armed with tear gas and water cannons, launched a forceful operation around midnight, using live rounds to disperse the crowd. The media described the incident as a “massacre,” accusing security forces of targeting the protesters with lethal intent. "A massacre has unfolded in Pakistan under the brutal, fascist military regime," the media reported, referring to the ruling coalition and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir.

Accusations of Intentional Bloodshed by Security Forces

The media criticized the actions of security forces, alleging that police opened fire with the intention of causing mass casualties. "The nation is drowning in blood," media outlets reported, urging the international community to condemn the crackdown as part of the larger erosion of democracy and humanity in Pakistan.

Protesters Demand Imran Khan’s Release

The protest began on November 24, following a call by Imran Khan himself, demanding his release after being imprisoned since August of the previous year. Khan faces numerous charges following his removal from office in 2022. The protestors, led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, vowed not to leave Islamabad until their leader was freed.

The Pakistan government accused the protesters of having foreign backing, alleging that Afghan nationals had been recruited to join the demonstration. The authorities also claimed that the protesters were planning to target government buildings, further escalating the situation.

Protest Ends as Leaders Flee the Scene

After the midnight crackdown, Bibi and Gandapur reportedly fled the area, with Pakistan’s Interior Minister claiming that the two leaders had escaped. However, media sources later confirmed that both were safe and had left the protest site. As the crackdown intensified, the protest officially ended, with demonstrators returning to their homes and the media reporting that the protests had subsided in Islamabad.