As it happened: Imran Khan attack: Former PM injured in 'assassination' attempt

Imran Khan's ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith said she was relieved after the update that the former Pakistan PM is now out of danger after the attack. 

In the aftermath of the shocking attack on Imran Khan, massive protests have erupted in different parts of the country. 

PTI's Secretary General Asad Umar in an exclusive message after the "assassination attempt" on Imran Khan said that the former PM has named three suspects who could be behind today's attack. 

Umar said: "Shortly before this video, Imran Khan called us and told us to convey this message to the nation on his behalf. He said that he had received some information earlier as well. He said that he believes three people were involved in the attack." 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a PTI leader, gave update on Imran Khan's health. He said that the PTI chief is out of danger now. 

Qureshi tweeted: "Imran Khan's condition is safe due to the grace of Allah and the prayers of the entire nation. This attack was not on Imran Khan but on the Pakistani nation. After this cowardly act, now Imran Khan will move towards the destination with more force. God willing." 

Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada condemned the attack on former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Trudeau tweeted: The attack on @ImranKhanPTI and his supporters is completely unacceptable, and I strongly condemn this violence. It has no place in politics, in any democracy, or in our society. I’m wishing a speedy recovery to Imran and all who were injured today." 

Imran Khan has been leading PTI's march towards Islamabad which kicked off from Lahore's Liberty Chowk on October 29. Khan is expected to stage a sit-in in Islamabad against the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government at the end of the march along with his supporters. But the date of arrival in Islamabad is not confirmed yet. During the march, Imran is seen mounted on a shipping container towed by a lorry. He is making speeches from the open top to crowds of thousands in cities and towns along the way. 

Dr Faisal Sultan, CEO Shaukat Khanum: "Imran Khan is stable, bullet fragments remain, he has been taken to the Operation theatre, The bullet has chipped one of his Tibia bones, Doctors will make a detailed statement later." Dr Sultan also said that a total of 13 people were injured. 

Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi rushed to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore to meet Imran Khan, Pakistani media reports mentioned. 

PTI's Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry said that it was a "planned assassination attempt on Imran Khan". On his official Twiter handle, the former information and broadcasting minister said, "It was a well planned assassination attempt on Imran Khan,the assassin planned to kill Imran khan and leadership of PTI, it was not 9 MM it was burst from automatic weapon, no two opinions about that it was narrow escape." 

The Punjab police said a statement that one person was killed and at least seven have injured. As reported by Pak media, the deceased has been identified as Muazzam Nawaz. Police also said that the suspect has been taken into custody. 

Imran Khan served as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan from August 2018, to April 2022 when he was ousted through a no-confidence motion. 

Four including one of Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan's managers have been injured after there was firing during his long march. Watch the first visuals of him being shot at here.

Watch this report: 

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, has condemned the attack. Maryam also prayed for Imran's good health. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif has also reacted to the shocking incident. 

Previously news agency reported that the suspect has been shot dead. Pakistan-based media outlets reported that the suspect was caught by police. The suspect has said that he wanted to "kill" the PTI chief because "he was misleading the public." 

"He (Imran) was misleading the people and I could not bear watching it so I killed him … attempted to kill him. I tried my best to kill him. I wanted to kill Imran Khan only and no one else," the suspect said in a video statement, widely shared on social media platform. 

Skipper of the Pakistan's cricket team, Babar Azam, has condemned the "heinous attack" on Imran Khan's rally. Former cricketers, including Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, also reacted to the attack. 

Pakistan's former interior minister Sheikh Rashid said that the attack on Imran Khan is an attack on country's democracy. Watch his comments: 

Hammad Azhar, who is a politician from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, gave an update on those who are injured. As quoted by DAWN, Azhar said, "Omer Meyer has one gun shot wound in his leg. He is stable. Our pti worker Rashid has an injured hand and he is also stable. Faisal Javed had a close call with the bullet scratching his cheek He is also stable." 

PTI has posted a video of Senator Faisal Javed after the attack. The PTI leader Faisal Javed also said that there were reports of the death of a party leader. But it is confirmed that Imran is safe now. 

Watch the video here: 

While speaking to Pakistan's Bol TV, PTI's Imran Ismail has said that party chief Imran Khan has been shot in the leg "three to four" times. 

Ismail said that he was next to Imran when the attack occurred. He said that Faisal Javed was also injured. He further alleged that the attacker was wielding a AK-47 and was directly in front of the container. 

Condemning the shocking incident, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said: "I condemn the incident of firing on PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the strongest words. I have directed Interior Minister for an immediate report on the incident. I pray for the recovery and health of PTI chairman & other injured people." 

Sharif also mentioned that the federal government will extend all support necessary to the Punjab govt for security and investigation. "Violence should have no place in our country's politics," he said. 

Imran Khan has been rushed to the hospital. On its official Twitter handle, PTI reported that Imran is currently stable.

He waved at supporters too. 

India's Ministry of External Affairs said that it is "keeping a close eye" in response to Imran Khan being injured in firing incident. 

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "It's a development that just took place. We're closely keeping an eye on and we'll continue to monitor ongoing developments." 

WION's correspondent reports live from Islamabad. 

Watch this ground report: 

Pakistan-based DAWN media outlet reported that the Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has taken notice of the firing incident. He has asked the police chief to probe and also instructed the provincial IGP to submit a report after the investigation. 

The chief minister said: "Those behind this incident will be brought to justice soon and the injured will be provided the best medical care." 

Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid confirmed that Imran Khan took bullets on both legs. He also said that the former prime minister is out of danger. 

Man suspected of attacking Pakistan ex-PM Khan shot dead, news agency AFP report quoting an aide. 

Pakistan media reported that a firing was reported near the container of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's container near Zafar Ali Khan chowk in Wazirabad.