Rawalpindi police officials have reported that the PTI protest on November 24 turned violent, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries. In a joint press conference, Senior Police Officers, including Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz, CPO Rawalpindi, and DPO Attock, provided details of the events.
Despite initial assurances from PTI leaders about holding a peaceful protest, the demonstration became chaotic as thousands of protesters entered Rawalpindi. They pelted police with stones, threw tear gas canisters, and attacked officers, the police said. Despite the violence, law enforcement exercised significant restraint.
The protestors, who had expressed their intention to march towards Adiala Jail, clashed with police as they attempted to break through. The RPO reported that 170 police officers in the Rawalpindi division were injured, including two with gunshot wounds. The total number of injured officers across the region on November 24 rose to 262, including senior officers like SSPs and DSPs. Remarkably, the police reported no injuries among the protestors.
Authorities arrested 1,151 people, including 64 Afghan nationals. Weapons, ball bearings, and spiked clubs were recovered from the arrested Afghans, with only four possessing valid identification. The rest were considered to be in the country illegally.
The protestors are facing charges of arson, property damage, and direct attacks on police officers in Attock. Eleven vehicles were set on fire during the protests, and 32 cases have been registered in the Rawalpindi region. Twenty-five police officers remain in critical condition.
The RPO emphasized that Rawalpindi had experienced relative peace in recent months, making the level of violence during this protest particularly alarming. Police also highlighted the involvement of a militant wing within the protestors.
