Three policemen martyred in clash with TLP protesters in Lahore

LAHORE Oct 22,2021

Three policemen were martyred and several others injured in clashes with workers of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore, officials said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lahore DIG (Operation), Mazhar Hussain said identified two of the slain officials as Ayub and Khalid. The identity of the third official has not yet been ascertained, but a statement from the provincial chief minister stated that three policemen were martyred.

Spokesperson said that several others were also injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition. “Protesters also hurled petrol bombs on officials,” he said, adding that officials tried to prevent them from vandalising and damaging public property.

“The angry mob also used sticks and pelted stones,” he said, adding that officials were showing restraint despite the violence.

Meanwhile, Lahore police spokesman Arif Rana told Reuters that officials fired teargas after the TLP supporters attacked a police checkpoint.

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They had clashed with the police at several places in the city, he said. “They had assured us that they will remain peaceful but they turned violent,” he told a news agency.

A TLP media coordinator, Saddam Bukhari, said the police attacked the peaceful rally that was on its way to Islamabad.

A spokesperson for the banned group claimed that at least 500 workers had been seriously wounded while several had died.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar offered condolences and prayed for the deceased officials. He assured their families that the provincial government stood with them in their time of grief.

Punjab govt forms committee for talks

Shortly after 4pm on Friday, the Punjab CM announced that a committee comprising provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Prosecution Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin had been formed to negotiate with the proscribed group.