A Pakistani radical Islamic party that promotes a violent campaign against France reported on Saturday (23) the death of seven of its militants in clashes with police in Lahore, which also left two agents dead.
On Friday, more than 1,000 supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) gathered after prayer to demand the release of their leader, currently imprisoned, blocking roads and firing shells. These protests continued throughout this Saturday.
“The death toll of Tehreek-e-Labbaik supporters in Pakistan rose to seven after two more people succumbed to injuries caused by police gunfire,” the party tweeted on Saturday.
Just before, the party’s Twitter had announced two deaths on Friday and three on Saturday.
Lahore police declined to comment on the claim, but reported on Friday that two of their officers were killed.
“The clashes continue,” Lahore police spokesman Rana Arif told AFP. “This is a defense operation for the police against the crowd,” he added.
TLP leader Saad Rizvi was arrested in April when the government banned the party. His followers threatened to march en masse to Islamabad, the capital, where police blocked the roads.
The party has announced that it will continue with the demonstrations and refuses to negotiate with the government until its leader is released.
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