Violent Clashes in Punjab Amid Anti-Israel Protests Leave Five Dead
A march organized in response to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire deal has turned violent in the state of Punjab, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including a police officer, and injuring dozens of others, local media reported on Monday. The protest, which began in Lahore near the Indian border and stretched nearly 400 kilometers to Islamabad, was organized by the Islamist group Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan. The group’s leaders criticized Pakistan’s support for the peace initiative and organized the event to protest Trump’s recent announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza.
The clashes between demonstrators and Punjab Police escalated rapidly, with reports indicating that the demonstrators shot and killed a police officer. According to Punjab Police Inspector General Usman Anwar, the violence led to three additional fatalities, including one passerby, before the demonstrators were eventually dispersed. The confrontation lasted for more than three hours, with at least 50 police personnel sustaining serious injuries. Media reports also cited the involvement of 1,500 police officers, supported by armored personnel carriers and water cannons, surrounding the protest camp along the historic Grand Trunk Road, which connects Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent.
Pakistani authorities announced that numerous protesters were arrested following the incident. Tehrik-e-Labaik claimed that police fired on its supporters, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The group’s leader, Saad Rizvi, was also wounded, with reports stating he received three gunshot wounds. The event has raised questions about the security measures in place and the potential for further unrest in the region. As tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict persist, the incident underscores the complexities of domestic and international diplomacy in South Asia.