The police conduct a sudden and unexpected “attack” on Imran’s home.
The Inspector General of Punjab asserts that guns were found during the Zaman Park operation.
As PTI leader Imran Khan left for Islamabad to testify in court, the province capital experienced a brief period of unsettling calm. But, on Saturday, the police burst into his Lahore home and broke down all doors and barriers to conduct a “surprise” search inside the building.
Cranes were shown smashing through the Zaman Park residence’s main gate as rock-ribbed supporters resisted in a nearby protest camp and fought with authorities in the video.
The intense action took place against the foggy backdrop of terrifying television footage that featured mass arrests, bleeding, baton charges, and extensive use of tear gas.
“Investigating officer is requested to accompany a lady police officer not below the level of inspector at the time of search of a required dwelling in line with law,” the search warrants issued by police under Section 47 of the CrPC stated.
While the PTI supporters attempted to force their way into the house that has been a flashpoint between the PTI-led opposition and the PDM government, the police retaliated by using force.
The action also came after a protracted standoff and violent altercations between Imran’s followers and the police in the area of the home, where officers had tried to detain the former premier on Tuesday.
‘Rifles found,’
Dr. Usman Anwar, the Punjab Inspector General (IG), claimed later in the day that “ammunition,” including petrol bombs, had also been found outside Imran’s home.
During a news conference in Lahore, IG Anwar put on display the purported petrol bombs which, he claimed, were discovered from Zaman Park and “there is also ammunition other than this”.
The PTI workers “used the recovered petrol bombs against the police,” he claimed.
He claimed that sand sacks and bunkers were also found, giving the area the appearance of being off-limits. Police also located the location where the “petrol bombs were constructed” close to Imran’s home.
As the police employed large gear to break down the gate of Imran’s residence, the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) himself was keeping an eye on the operation.
Water guns, bulldozers, and a prisoner van accompanied the police. With the aid of cranes, they quickly destroyed the PTI camps there and took down the fences and containers.
While workers resisted and threw stones at the police, dozens of activists were detained outside the home of the PTI chairman. To restrain the employees, the cops then started firing tear gas.
Traffic from Dharmapura to Mall Road was suspended, and the Zaman Park area was entirely cordoned off. On the other side of Canal Road, Dolphin Force men were visible wearing civilian attire.
The police announced that they will arrest the protesters seen on camera and in the photos.
The employees who attacked the Lahore police and caused property damage will be apprehended, and the workers who were present in Zaman Park will be identified.
Individuals who had been detained were moved to other police stations. In order to perhaps utilize the plastic bottles as evidence against the PTI, police officers gathered them, and stones were thrown along the canal and near Zaman Park.
However, videos that were uploaded to PTI’s official Twitter account showed police officers using batons to beat party members and sympathizers.
“The current form of torture at Zaman Park is the worst. Will you once more portray an incident as an accident if it occurs?” The video included subtitles.
The PTI workers allegedly attacked the police officers with rocks and petrol bombs as they waited outside the building for the PTI leadership to arrive.
SMGs (submachine guns) reportedly were also found on the property. At Imran’s home, the police were examining the condition and ownership of such powerful munitions. Approximately 60 people , including Imran Khan’s house staff have also been apprehended during the operation.
Assisting the Islamabad police in carrying out the arrest warrant, the Lahore police encountered considerable resistance, according to the police, who also claimed that they were attacked with petrol bombs, beaten with sticks, and showered with stones.
Millions of rupees’ worth of property was destroyed during this time, and police and Rangers vehicles were also vandalized. As a result, complaints were filed against the criminals present there.
Amir Mir, the interim Punjab Information Minister, stated during a press conference that the police had cleared a Lahore neighborhood that had been declared a no-go area.
The operation was stopped at Zaman Park in accordance with the high court’s decision, the Punjab IG explained during the news conference, and a string of high court hearings subsequently began. The high court also stated categorically that the investigative process could not be stopped under any circumstances.
Based on images, Safe City camera footage, Geo-fencing, special branch reports, and other evidence, the police created a list of criminals who came from different locations and attacked the police and Ranger teams in accordance with the court orders utilizing contemporary investigation techniques.
To arrest them, the police teams traveled to Zaman Park with female officers and staff, including DIG Operations Lahore, DIG Investigation Lahore, and SP Investigation. Nonetheless, despite heavy opposition, the police cleared the area and arrested numerous people.
“I can guarantee that no innocent person would be detained,” the Punjab IG added. Following an identity parade, everyone will be brought before the Anti-Terrorism Court for comparison with the scientific evidence in accordance with the court’s ruling.
According to IG Punjab, the police got a search order for the residential portion of the property about midday. The woman police arrived at the scene with all the necessary equipment and called the people of the house.
It was stated that they were not where the police teams had been waiting for them to enter the home legally, but that the criminals who attacked the police had been apprehended from the area where gasoline bombs and catapult-thrown stones had been thrown.
The Punjab IG displayed the media representatives the confiscated lethal weapons, ammunition, petrol bombs, and other things used in the attacks on the police during the news conference.
Even though they had the legal authority to do so throughout the entire operation, according to the Punjab IG, the cops did not fire a single shot or even deploy rubber bullets. “There are videos of every person who has been detained. All legal and just requirements will be met, and any registered cases will be resolved.
In response to queries from the media, he stated that the recovered firearms and other items would be dealt with in accordance with the law, making it clear that the reputation and respect of those who had been detained would not be jeopardized.
Their caution and forbearance, according to him, shouldn’t be viewed as cowardice. According to the IGP, police patiently took action to protect human life.
When asked again about holding elections under such circumstances, the provincial minister responded that everything was well throughout the province, with the exception of one area of Lahore where there had been a controlled attempt to make things worse.
Mir earlier claimed that the situation at Zaman Park had been brought under control during an interview with a private TV program.
He claimed that during the incident, shots were fired and petrol bombs were thrown at the cops.
He claimed that the PTI had resolved that the leadership would work with the police to abide by arrest warrants for wanted individuals, but that this did not occur.
