ISLAMABAD: A police officer lost his life after he fell ill due to intense tear gas shelling fired to disperse protesting federal government employees who were demanding pay raise.
Ishtiaq, posted in Islamabad Police’s Special Branch, complained of breathing problems at around 7:00pm on Wednesday after which he was shifted to the Polyclinic where he passed away today.
The police had resorted to heavy tear gas shelling to disperse the federal government workers at China Chowk. The Red Zone in the federal capital had turned into a war zone as clashes took place between protesters and the law enforcement agencies.
A heavy contingent of police was deployed across Islamabad to control the demonstration after talks between the government and the protesters failed and their leaders were taken into custody. After a fresh round of talks, the two parties have reached a consensus on the pay raise.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the development and instructed the Islamabad administration to release all arrested employees immediately.
