#Islamabad_Massacre - Gov forces open fire on unarmed peaceful protestors.

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ISLAMABAD — Supporters seeking the release of imprisoned Pakistani former premier Imran Khan on Tuesday broke through a ring of shipping containers locking down the capital Islamabad, while at least six people have died in protest-related violence. Protesters battled security forces and ignored a government threat to respond with gunfire.

The dead included four members of the security services and one civilian who were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack on Tuesday, saying an “anarchist group” was deliberately targeting law enforcement personnel. There were no claims of responsibility for the ramming. A police officer died in a separate incident.

Thousands of security forces have poured into central Islamabad. Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in downtown Islamabad’s Red Zone, which is an area that houses key government buildings and is the final destination for the protesters. Paramilitary rangers formed the next layer of deterrence at the site and police made up the third. Rangers urged everyone to leave the area, including journalists, and fired warning shots into the air.

“We have now allowed police to take any decision according to the situation,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said while visiting the square.

Earlier Naqvi threatened security forces would respond with live fire if protesters fired weapons at them.

Visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was staying in the Red Zone as part of his official trip.

One protestor, Shahzor Ali, said people were on the streets because Khan had called for them to be there. “We will stay here until Khan is among us. He will decide what to do next.”

“If they again fire bullets, the bullet will be responded with the bullet,” he said.

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