Pakistan | Police may launch operation to nab ‘terrorists’ hiding at Imran Khan’s residence: Media

Lahore. Punjab Police personnel surrounded the residence of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on Thursday and may launch an operation any time to nab ‘terrorists’ allegedly holed up at his residence. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief Khan was given 24 hours by the interim government of Punjab province to hand over the “terrorists” hiding at his residence in Lahore and the period has now expired. Senior police officer Hasan Bhatti on Thursday claimed that they have arrested eight people from Zaman Park area who are suspected to be involved in the May 9 attack on military installations. Khan’s party denied the claim and said that the police brought a group of arrested persons to Zaman Park to prove that they were detained outside their leader’s residence. All roads leading to Zaman Park have been closed and a large number of security personnel have been deployed in the area, Geo News reported. Quoting sources, the report said that the Inspector General of Punjab Police and the capital city police officer have asked the police to remain “vigilant”. Punjab’s acting information minister Aamir Mir on Wednesday claimed that ’30 to 40′ terrorists were holed up inside Khan’s Zaman Park residence and gave Khan 24 hours to hand them over or face stern action Was. Former prime minister Khan on Wednesday demanded an independent investigation into the violence, distancing himself and his party from attacks on government and military installations following his arrest last week. Khan made the demand while addressing PTI workers through video link from Zaman Park residence here. Khan had rejected the Punjab government’s claim that around 40 terrorists were hiding in his house in Lahore. He had said, “You say that terrorists are hiding at my house and on the pretext of this they want to attack my house. You should get a warrant and conduct a decent search.” Also read Police had entered Khan’s Zaman Park residence in March to arrest him but his party workers foiled the plan. On May 9, there was major violence at the Islamabad High Court complex following Khan’s arrest by the paramilitary force Rangers. In a series of tweets on Thursday, Khan demanded an immediate probe into the police firing on unarmed protesters. He claimed that 25 people were killed and hundreds were injured on 6 and 7 May. He said, “The country is grappling with a tremendous economic crisis. People are troubled by inflation and unemployment. All those in power are focused on how to crush the biggest and only federal party by ushering in a reign of terror. The time has come for all citizens to raise their voices before it is too late.” (agency)