The Islamabad police said on Monday that it has arrested 198 PTI supporters for allegedly attacking law enforcement personnel and causing chaos in the capital city on March 18. Hours-long clashes were reported between PTI workers and the capital police on Saturday after former prime minister Imran Khan arrived at the Federal Judicial Complex to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case.

During the violent confrontation, a contingent of law enforcers and PTI supporters used anti-riot gear against each other with teargas used from both sides to push the opposing side back. In a series of tweets on Monday the Islamabad police said that 198 PTI protesters involved in arson and vandalism had been arrested, while raids were being conducted to nab others.

“The process of the identification of all the accused involved in the incident is underway with the help of cameras,” it said, adding that cases against the protesters had been registered at the Counter Terrorism Department and Golra police stations. The police further said that 58 officers had been injured in the clashes. “Four police vehicles were burnt, nine vehicles were vandalised and 25 motorcycles were set on fire.”

All the miscreants involved in the violent acts will be brought to justice, it vowed. PTI supporters also smashed two buses of the Punjab Constabulary and a bus of Chakwal police. A pick-up van of the Islamabad police’s security division was also damaged in addition to a jammer vehicle.A pick-up and a prison van were left with smashed windshields while a van of Lohi Bher police station and a bomb disposal squad vehicle was also torched. SHO Golra’s car was damaged. The motor transport department of the police also saw its two prison vans smashed, while an APC van of the operation division was also wrecked.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP