
. . . and going.
ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry called on the Pakistan Army here on Thursday as over a thousand enraged protesters attempted to reach Islamabad’s heavily-guarded diplomatic enclave in a bid to register their protest against a US-made anti-Islam film.
At least 11 people were injured Thursday as police fired live rounds and tear gas to break up a large crowd of over 1,000 students, many armed with wooden clubs.
The enraged students clashed with law enforcement agencies, pelting them with stones. Several protestors were eventually able to enter the high security Red Zone.
Islamabad’s heavily-guarded diplomatic enclave is home to most Western embassies, including the US, British and French missions.
The crudely made “Innocence of Muslims” has triggered protests in at least 20 countries since excerpts were posted online, and more than 30 people have been killed in violence linked to the film.
There have been dozens of protests around Pakistan over the past week and at least two people have been killed, but Thursday is the first time protests in the capital have turned violent.
Police fired tear gas and live rounds as the protesters tried to break through a barrier of truck containers set up to block access to the diplomatic enclave.
