No deaths among protesters following PTI sit-in operation: Interior ministry

The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday confirmed that no fatalities were reported among the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters during a major security operation aimed at dispersing the party’s sit-in in Islamabad. 

The protest, which escalated on Tuesday, was brought to an end after law enforcement agencies conducted a large-scale raid in the capital city.

PTI protesters, led by Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, had gathered in Islamabad after breaking through multiple security lines, reaching the edge of the heavily guarded Red Zone. 

However, the protest was called off after a sweeping midnight operation by security forces, which resulted in the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Interior assured that no protester had lost their life during the operation, calling claims of such incidents “baseless and unverified.” 

The statement further detailed that one police officer and three Rangers personnel were martyred in separate incidents in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Additionally, the ministry reported that 223 law enforcement officers were injured during the operation, including 171 from Punjab and 52 from the Islamabad Capital Territory.

Despite the damages caused to state and private property, as well as casualties among law enforcement personnel, the ministry stated that the operation had been carried out swiftly and effectively to restore order and ensure public safety.

“The peaceful resolution of this protest highlights the professionalism of the civil administration and law enforcement agencies in managing such challenging situations,” the ministry added.

The interior ministry’s statement concluded by reassuring the public of the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order, ensuring both the safety of citizens and the integrity of state institutions.