Imran Khan: Petrol bombs thrown and shots fired at Pakistan police as they raid home of former prime minister | World News

Molotov cocktails and rocks were thrown at police in Pakistan when they raided the home of former prime minister Imran Khan, in which they also opened fire.

Officers responded with tear gas as they clashed with baton-wielding political supporters in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday and arrested more than 60 people.

During the operation, a man on the roof of the sprawling compound opened fire.

At least three police officers were injured.

Senior commander Suhail Sukhera said security forces had to remove barricades set up by members of Mr Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

He said they blocked the lanes around the property with concrete blocks, felled trees, tents and a parked truck.

When they broke down the main door of the main residence, police said they found masks, bottles filled with gasoline, iron bars and batons used in the attack. attack the police in this week.

Mr. Khan was not at home, went to Islamabad to appear before a judge to face corruption charges.

The judge adjourned that hearing until March 30.

Due to violence outside the judicial building between the police and Mr Khan’s supporters, he was unable to reach the courtroom and was therefore allowed to sign from his vehicle.

Read more:
Imran Khan accused of ‘blatant lying’ by Pakistan’s minister
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan ‘preparing to be arrested’

A high court on Friday suspended an arrest warrant for Mr Khan, allowing him to go to court without being detained.

He has been sheltering at his home in Lahore since Tuesday, after failing to appear at an earlier hearing on the case.

His supporters clashed with police for two days to protect him from arrest.

During his journey to Islamabad, Mr Khan said in a video message that the government planned to detain him even though he had gone to the hearing.

He said the police broke into his home while his wife was there alone.

He condemned the actions of the police and demanded that those responsible be prosecuted.

Mr. Khan, 70, now in the opposition, is was overthrown in a vote of no confidence in parliament last April.

He was accused of selling state gifts while in office and concealing his assets.

It is one of a series of cases the former cricket star has faced since his ouster.

He has also stated that his removal from power was part of a plot by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharifand the United States.

Both Washington and Sharif’s government have denied the allegations.