New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan sustained bullet injuries on his leg Thursday when unidentified assailants fired at him in Wazirabad while he was leading supporters in a long march from Lahore to Islamabad demanding early elections.
Chaotic scenes broke out near his party Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf’s reception camp at Allahwala Chowk in the area, Geo News reported.
The culprit has been arrested, Geo News quoted the local police. The report said several others, including PTI leader Faisal Javed, were also hurt.
Television footage showed Javed’s face bandaged and his face bloodied.
Khan, who has been admitted to hospital, was on a seven-day “Haqeeqi Azadi Long March” in a container.
Injured in the assassination attempt on Imran Khan, Senator @FaisalJavedKhan speaks exclusively. #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن_ہے pic.twitter.com/PyrgQoeTs7
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 3, 2022
Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has instructed the provincial inspector general of police to submit a report after a thorough investigation of the incident.
The chief minister said: “Those behind this incident will be brought to justice soon and the injured will be provided the best medical care.”
Local television channels showed footage of an injured Khan being moved from the container to a vehicle with the help of his security.
PTI’s Imran Ismail said Khan was shot in the leg three or four times. Ismail was next to Khan when the shooting took place, he told television channels, adding the attacker “was wielding an AK-47 rifle”.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said Khan was shot in a tartgetted attack. Party veteran Shahbaz Gill said: “Imran Khan is our red line and an attempt has been made to cross that red line.” He said Khan will fight to his last breath.
Party leader Asad Umar said the attacker had an automatic weapon. Colleague Shireen Mazari said “string pullers and the establishment would be held responsible by the nation for this murderous attack on Imran Khan.”
She called for Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to be arrested. She tweeted: “Rana Sana threatened to murder IK & today we saw him attempt that. He should be arrested on attempted murder as his public statement bear witness to same.”
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has “severely condemned” the incident and instructed the Interior Minister to seek an immediate report, according to local newspaper Dawn.
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Thursday evening that the country was “keeping a close eye” and would continue to monitor ongoing developments.
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