PAT worker killed, police station torched, personnel taken hostage as street battles continue

A Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) worker was reportedly killed and several other people, including policemen, were injured as clashes continue between Dr Tahirul Qadri’s followers and police personnel in several cities of the Punjab province on Saturday, a day before Youm-e-Shuhada.

A PAT worker was killed and six female party workers were injured as they clashed with the police in Kamonki in Gujranwala district. Three policemen were reportedly injured in the clashes while three vehicles of the police were damaged as well.

On August 8, scores of baton-wielding activists of PAT clashed with policemen in Lahore’s Model Town area after the city and the province of Punjab were virtually sealed off by the authorities.

The clashes had broken out when PAT activists attempted to remove large shipping containers that blocked roads and alleyways leading to the Secretariat of Minhajul Quran International. At least seven policemen and at least four PAT activists were wounded in the ensuing clashes.

Pitched battles were also fought in other cities of Punjab when policemen tried to stop PAT workers from travelling to Lahore to attend the Youm-e-Shuhada event.

PAT workers had set alight the Quaidabad police station in Khushab district Friday night. Official records and furniture were burnt to ashes, while PAT workers had allegedly freed 11 accused from the lockup. They had overpowered eight police officials, beat them up and kept them hostage for over two hours.

According to officials, 50 buses carrying PAT activists from Mianwali, Joharabad, Quaidabad and other adjourning areas were heading to Lahore to participate in the Lahore event when the Quaidabad police had intercepted the convoy on Bhakkar-Mianwali Road. Angered by the police action, PAT workers attacked the personnel, forcing them to run for safety. However, the enraged PAT activists had chased them into the police station.

While throwing stones, some PAT workers had forced their way into the police station where they looted the Maal Khana and released 11 accused from the lockup. Before fleeing, they set fire to the police station and damaged elite force vehicles, seven motorcycles and three cars standing outside the police station.

In Bhakkar, a police contingent had conducted a raid in the Daggar Olakh area to detain PAT workers but local residents overpowered the policemen. They were freed after successful negotiations between senior police officials and residents. One PAT worker, who was wounded in the clash, had reportedly succumbed to his injuries later in the night.

POLICEMEN TAKEN HOSTAGE:

Meanwhile, three policemen have been taken hostage by PAT workers in Lahore.
PAT workers said they will take more policemen hostage if “provoked” and demanded the release of their arrested colleagues in exchange for the policemen. .

Police personnel in custody of PAT members said they were going to their duty points when Awami Tehrik workers ambushed them, snatching away their arms as well as other possessions. No policeman was currently on duty outside the Minhajul Quran’s secretariat and Qadri’s residence.

Moreover, in Jhelum’s Pind Dadan Khan town, PAT workers were holding 15 police personnel hostage following a clash.

The policemen were taken hostage after the workers thwarted the barriers fixed to restrict their movement in the area. Police had also fired tear gas shells on protesters due to which several demonstrators became unconscious.

Responding to Qadri’s call made while talking to media earlier in the day in which he had asked the people to take to the streets for a final push to oust the rulers, activists from various towns across Punjab tried to reach Lahore.