TLP supporters take six security personnel hostage in Pakistan's Lahore

In Pakistan, a hardline Islamist group Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan, TLP, supporters had taken six security personnel hostage at its headquarters in Lahore yesterday. Pakistan has been witnessing violent clashes between the police and TLP supporters for about a week following the arrest of the group's leader Saad Rizvi.

The arrest of Saad Rizvi came after the Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan gave the Imran Khan government an April 20 deadline to expel the French ambassador over the publication of cartoons in France depicting the Prophet Mohammad. Saad Rizvi's arrest prompted his supporters to hold protests and sit-ins across Pakistan. At least four people were killed, hundreds injured, and thousands have been arrested so



far. The Pakistan government has banned the group after the violence.

Lahore police has said that the TLP activists have two fuel tankers containing thousands of liters of petrol and they are throwing petrol bombs and stones at security officials, and also shooting bullets resulting in injury to 11 officials.

TLP has said that its four supporters had been killed by police and several others were wounded.

Earlier yesterday, Pakistan terminated mobile and internet services temporarily in the area where clashes were taking place. Last week, France had advised its citizens to temporarily leave Pakistan for their safety.