PTI protesters used Brazil-made shells: Attock DPO

RAWALPINDI: District Police Officer (DPO), Attock, Dr Ghias Gul disclosed on Monday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters used Brazilian-made shells during violent attacks in the district.

The Brazilian teargas shells are five times more intense than locally used shells. Addressing a press conference, the DPO stated that the protesters opened fire on police pickets, forcing law enforcement officers to risk their lives to apprehend them. He noted that efforts to control the crowd in Attock led to violent clashes, resulting in numerous arrests.

The DPO revealed that the protesters maintained constant communication through a wireless system to coordinate their actions. The officer highlighted the nationwide panic sparked by PTI’s unexpected call for protests. Among the 1,150 detainees, he said, 89 individuals had no prior record in any national database. He said that the identification of those detained individuals to determine whether they are from Pakistan or another country will be completed soon.

Additionally, a video recovered from the mobile phone of one of the arrested individuals showed someone holding a police uniform, reflecting blatant disrespect for the police force. The officer also revealed that dangerous chemicals were found in the protesters’ vehicles and alleged that some of the detainees had links to militant organizations.

The DPO said that efforts were made to stop protesters in Attock, leading to clashes and arrests. He detailed that protesters fired at law enforcement during roadblocks, and items recovered from them included tear gas shells, guns, and other equipment.

One suspect’s mobile phone contained a photo showing him holding police trousers, indicating disrespect toward police uniforms. A forensic analysis of the weapons used by the protesters is underway.

He revealed that 8% of the protesters were members of militant wings, and several law enforcement officers were subjected to violence, including being hit on the head with stones. A total of 147 personnel were injured, 25 of whom are in critical condition.

The DPO noted that the protesters appeared to have a well-coordinated plan. Additionally, the protesters disrupted police communication systems while maintaining their own communication via wireless devices and were equipped with bulletproof vests.

Dr Ghayas Gul also presented the media with the confiscated items, which included helmets, vests, weapons, and other equipment used by the protesters. Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Islamabad has emphasized that Afghan migrants in Pakistan have never participated in any political activities or criminal events. In a statement, the embassy expressed concerns over the repeated mentions of Afghan nationals in recent protests in Islamabad by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and other officials. The statement also noted the growing restrictions, which have caused anxiety among Afghan migrants, fearing that they may face wrongful harassment by Pakistani authorities under these circumstances.

The embassy reiterated that Afghan migrants have always lived peacefully in Pakistan, contributing positively to the country’s economy. They have never engaged in political activism or public protests. The statement also called for the Pakistani government to prevent the creation of an environment of distrust that could lead to unjust treatment and forced displacement of Afghan migrants. Such actions, the embassy warned, would not only harm Afghan citizens but could also further strain relations between the two neighboring countries.