PTM, army clash- What we know so far

PTM, army clash left three people dead many injured

Islamabad: An armed clash between the PTM workers and army left three people dead and 15 people including five soldiers injured in North Wazirstan on Sunday.

Here is what happened

Army’s media wing ISPR issued a statement which said a group led by MNAs Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, both associated with the PTM, attacked a check-post on Sunday morning.

The statement said: “They wanted to exert pressure for the release of suspected terrorists’ facilitator arrested the other day.

Troops at the check post exercised maximum restraint in the face of provocation and direct firing on the post,”

The statement said five soldiers were injured in the PTM attack. The army said three people were killed and 10 others injured when soldiers returned fire.

The ISPR said Ali Wazir was taken into custody while Mohsin Dawar was still at large.

Hours later, Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor issued a statement on Twitter advising the PTM workers to exercise care.

“Only few are inciting and using them against state institutions for vested agenda. No one will be allowed to undo the gains of decades long national struggle & sacrifices especially of brave Pakistani tribals,” he tweeted.

Mutliple reports suggested that the incident took place near the venue of a sit-in which the PTM has been staging for the last few days.

Reaction

Government’s Information Advisor Firdous Ashiq Awan called the attack on army check-post regrettable.

Without naming anyone, she said some people were playing in foreign hands. She said they were misguiding the people by spreading propaganda against the state.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari found it hard to beleive that elected MNAs would attack a check-post.

He said he opposes violence against peaceful protesters.

The PPP chairman recalled some events in Balochistan during Musharraf era highlighting the dangers involved use of force.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said the government should show seriousness in giving people their basic rights.