Pakistan police clash with Imran Khan supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Police and security forces clashed with supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan in the Bara town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday. The protests, involving thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, were held to demand Khan's release from prison, where he has been held since August 2023 facing various charges including corruption and treason.

Reports indicate that at least 11 protesters were injured by bullets and stones during the demonstration. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the use of force: PTI members claimed officers “opened fire directly into the crowd,” while police officials stated they only fired “warning shots” into the air to disperse the mob and rescue colleagues after protesters reportedly assaulted personnel and attempted to snatch weapons.

During the unrest, demonstrators vandalized an emergency services office and set an administrative building on fire. The protests are part of a broader wave of demonstrations in the PTI stronghold, driven by demands for Khan's release and grievances regarding the country's economic conditions.