Sudan is on the boil. 100 people have lost their lives as deadly clashes continue between the army and paramiliary forces. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Sudan's deadly clashes continue for third day

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured as the fighting in Sudan between the country's army and powerful paramilitary enters its third day.

Sudan Power Struggle: Army clashes with paramilitary forces enter third day

At least 59 civilians, including three U.N. employees, were killed in battles between the armed forces and paramilitary rapid support forces that began on Saturday. There are fears that fighting has continued in Sudan's capital Khartoum despite an hour-long ceasefire to aid those caught up in the conflict.

Sudan’s Former PM: There can be no return to dictatorship

Fierce fighting continues in Sudan's capital Khartoum despite an hours-long pause to help those caught up in the violence. The clashes that started on Saturday between the armed forces and the paramilitary rapid support forces has killed nearly 100 civilians nationwide, including three U-N workers. Here' a breakdown of the current situation in Sudan-the two military factions, the rivalry that has come to fore, the timeline of what has transpired so far and also assessing what truly is at stake.

Nearly 100 killed, 1000 injured as violence takes over Sudan | Decoded

At least 56 civilians have died as a result of the violent combat in Sudan between the regular army and the paramilitary. According to the nation's medical professionals, more than 600 people have sustained injuries.

Will Sudan ever transition to democracy?; Khartoum declares state holiday | WION Fineprint

Sudan's army clashes with paramilitary forces killing at least 56 civilians and injuring 600

Five people were sentenced to death over the killing of a Basij paramilitary force member during the widespread protests in Iran, the country’s judiciary said on Tuesday. The spokesperson for the judiciary – Massoud Setayeshi – also said that 11 people, including three children, were also sentenced to prison over the death of the soldier who was identified as Ruhollah Ajamian.

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According to AFP, the prosecutors in the case told the court that Ajamian was killed by a group of people who were paying tribute to a protester Hadis Najafi. Najafi was killed in the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini and during the ceremonies making 40 days of her death, the mourners attacked members of the paramilitary forces and Ajamian ended up losing his life.

While the trial started with 11 people on the stands, four more were added by the police under the accusation of “corruption on earth”. Mizan Online website reported that all 15 defendants were charged in relation to the crimes and were handed out various degrees of punishments.

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The protests in Iran were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was found dead after she was detained by the Iranian morality police for flouting the country’s hijab laws. The post-mortem report revealed trauma injuries to both her head and body pointing towards police torture.

Since the start of the protests, Iranian forces believe that 300 people have been killed including more than 30 members of the security forces. Over 5000 people have also been arrested.

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Five people were sentenced to death over the killing of a Basij paramilitary force member during the widespread protests in Iran, the country’s judiciary said on Tuesday.

Five people were sentenced to death over the killing of a Basij paramilitary force member during the widespread protests in Iran, the country’s judiciary said on Tuesday. The spokesperson for the judiciary – Massoud Setayeshi – also said that 11 people, including three children, were also sentenced to prison over the death of the soldier who was identified as Ruhollah Ajamian. Also read | Ukraine to implement emergency power shutdowns after Russian missile strikes According to AFP, the prosecutors in the case told the court that Ajamian was killed by a group of people who were paying tribute to a protester Hadis Najafi. Najafi was killed in the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini and during the ceremonies making 40 days of her death, the mourners attacked members of the paramilitary forces and Ajamian ended up losing his life. While the trial started with 11 people on the stands, four more were added by the police under the accusation of “corruption on earth”. Mizan Online website reported that all 15 defendants were charged in relation to the crimes and were handed out various degrees of punishments. Also read | Georgia votes to choose between Warnock & Walker in Tuesday's Senate runoff The protests in Iran were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was found dead after she was detained by the Iranian morality police for flouting the country’s hijab laws. The post-mortem report revealed trauma injuries to both her head and body pointing towards police torture. Since the start of the protests, Iranian forces believe that 300 people have been killed including more than 30 members of the security forces. Over 5000 people have also been arrested.

Five people sentenced to death in Iran over killing of Basij paramilitary member

The central&nbsp;government recently began the process of withdrawing paramilitary forces from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-administration-to-restore-broadband-services-in-phased-manner-in-few-weeks-266729">Jammu and Kashmir</a>.

According to sources, the law and order situation in the valley has improved tremendously.

"The MHA has cancelled the order of induction of seven CRPF Companies to Manipur on the operational ground and these Companies should be released to the Government of Assam for Law and Order duty on the arrival of the special train at Dimapur," ANI reported.

The government moved ten companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from J&amp;K to Assam.

More than 20 companies will be repositioned to Assam over time. For this purpose, special train service has been started to facilitate the moving process.

This comes four months after the Central government abrogated Article 370 of the constitution. It took away all the special provisions that were accorded to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. &nbsp;Following this, paramilitary forces were deployed in the region to maintain peace.&nbsp;

If the government sources are to be believed, no deaths due to police have occurred in the region since the abrogation. The government also added that the reorganisation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-two-political-leaders-shifted-to-their-homes-will-remain-under-house-arrest-264530">J&amp;K</a> into union territories had ''no additional financial implication''.

"During this period, 197 persons have been injured in law and order related incidents. During the same period, three security force personnel and 17 civilians have been killed in terror-related incidents while 129 persons got injured," said the Home Ministry in Parliament.

(With inputs from ANI)

The central government recently began the process of withdrawing paramilitary forces from Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, the law and order situation in the valley has improved tremendously.

The central government recently began the process of withdrawing paramilitary forces from Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, the law and order situation in the valley has improved tremendously. "The MHA has cancelled the order of induction of seven CRPF Companies to Manipur on the operational ground and these Companies should be released to the Government of Assam for Law and Order duty on the arrival of the special train at Dimapur," ANI reported. The government moved ten companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from J&K to Assam. More than 20 companies will be repositioned to Assam over time. For this purpose, special train service has been started to facilitate the moving process. This comes four months after the Central government abrogated Article 370 of the constitution. It took away all the special provisions that were accorded to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. Following this, paramilitary forces were deployed in the region to maintain peace. If the government sources are to be believed, no deaths due to police have occurred in the region since the abrogation. The government also added that the reorganisation of J&K into union territories had ''no additional financial implication''. "During this period, 197 persons have been injured in law and order related incidents. During the same period, three security force personnel and 17 civilians have been killed in terror-related incidents while 129 persons got injured," said the Home Ministry in Parliament. (With inputs from ANI)

Paramilitary forces in process of being moved from J&K to Assam

The five-member bench of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-not-to-press-for-mathura-and-kashi-temples-issue-post-ayodhya-verdict-260375">Supreme Court</a> is scheduled to pronounce on Saturday its eagerly-awaited judgment in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya. The apex court is likely to pronounce judgement at 10:30 am.

The Supreme Court bench had concluded the hearing in the case and reserved its verdict on October 16 after marathon hearing of 40 days.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-braces-for-ayodhya-judgment-heavy-security-deployment-in-ayodhya-260674/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The apex court heard a batch of petitions challenging September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court judgment trifurcating the 2.77 acres of the disputed land at Ayodhya into three equal parts among Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board, and Nirmohi Akhara.&nbsp;

The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid conflict has remained unresolved since 1992.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi with Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari and state DGP Om Prakash Singh was convened to discuss about the implications of the verdict of the Ayodhya title suit on the law and order situation that may arise in Ayodhya and other sensitive areas in the state, sources said on Friday.

The officials briefed the Chief Justice about the preparedness in handling the law and order situation after the Ayodhya verdict. They also said that the administration is ready to deal with all kinds of situation in all districts of the state, sources said.

The CJI asked officials to take all necessary steps and ensure that no untoward incident takes place in any place in Uttar Pradesh post-Ayodhya verdict, they added.

The meeting took place for a little more than an hour to discuss the law and order situation in Ayodhya, sources further said.

Security arrangements have been beefed up in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially in Ayodhya district, in order to maintain law and order before and after the expected judgment in the Ayodhya case.&nbsp;

Section 144 has been imposed in the district till December 10.

Earlier on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting via video conference with all the District Magistrates and senior officials directing them to crack down on those trying to disrupt peace.&nbsp;

He also asked the officials to stay alert and pro-active.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The five-member bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on Saturday its eagerly-awaited judgment in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya.

The five-member bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on Saturday its eagerly-awaited judgment in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya. The apex court is likely to pronounce judgement at 10:30 am. The Supreme Court bench had concluded the hearing in the case and reserved its verdict on October 16 after marathon hearing of 40 days. Watch: The apex court heard a batch of petitions challenging September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court judgment trifurcating the 2.77 acres of the disputed land at Ayodhya into three equal parts among Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board, and Nirmohi Akhara. The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid conflict has remained unresolved since 1992. Meanwhile, a meeting between Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi with Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari and state DGP Om Prakash Singh was convened to discuss about the implications of the verdict of the Ayodhya title suit on the law and order situation that may arise in Ayodhya and other sensitive areas in the state, sources said on Friday. The officials briefed the Chief Justice about the preparedness in handling the law and order situation after the Ayodhya verdict. They also said that the administration is ready to deal with all kinds of situation in all districts of the state, sources said. The CJI asked officials to take all necessary steps and ensure that no untoward incident takes place in any place in Uttar Pradesh post-Ayodhya verdict, they added. The meeting took place for a little more than an hour to discuss the law and order situation in Ayodhya, sources further said. Security arrangements have been beefed up in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially in Ayodhya district, in order to maintain law and order before and after the expected judgment in the Ayodhya case. Section 144 has been imposed in the district till December 10. Earlier on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting via video conference with all the District Magistrates and senior officials directing them to crack down on those trying to disrupt peace. He also asked the officials to stay alert and pro-active. (With inputs from agencies)

Ayodhya land dispute: Supreme Court to deliver title-suit verdict today

As India prepares for one of its most important court verdicts of the century, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-gives-up-4000-capf-personnel-to-maintain-law-and-order-before-after-ayodhya-judgement-260061">city of Ayodhya</a> remains on edge. The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid conflict has remained unresolved since 1992 and the verdict is expected next week.

The Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi has met with the top officials of the Uttar Pradesh government to overlook the situation as the judgment is due before&nbsp;November 17.

Gogoi the State Chief Secretary, the Director-General of Police, and other office-bearers of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/district-magistrate-issues-directives-ahead-of-ayodhya-verdict-259783">state government</a>. He reviewed the security preparedness and possible implications ahead of the crucial judgment.

The 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict ordered trifurcation of the land, but the stakeholders appealed against it at the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

As the date of the final verdict nears, the central and state governments have started to make full preparations for only the implementation, but also to avoid any potential conflict in the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said that unnecessary controversy on the issue should be avoided at all costs.

The authorities are also making special efforts to curb the propagation of fake news on social media websites. In view of this, the state government has deployed 16,000 volunteers to maintain peace.

Additionally, four security zones have been created in Ayodhya. These zones have been colour coded into red, yellow, green, and blue zones. The red and yellow zones will be manned by the paramilitary, while the blue and green zones will be manned by the local police.

The colours also reflect the intensity of potential hazards. For instance, the red zone covers the disputed site and yellow covers five kilometres outside of it.

To avoid any scope of conflict, four-thousand paramilitary forces have been deployed in the holy city.

Watch: India braces for Ayodhya judgment

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The Home Ministry has issued an advisory to state governments to ensure that law and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/everyone-should-respect-supreme-court-verdict-in-ayodhya-case-yogi-adityanath-258896">order is maintained throughout the country</a>.

The police have sealed off the roads leading to the sensitive Ram Kot area.

Even the Indian Railways, which is a major artery of transportation in India, is bracing itself for the verdict through preparation measures.

Some railway staff have been called back from their holidays, and their leaves have been annulled. Additionally, 80 major railway stations have been identified as nerve centres and will remain on high alert.

To top it all off, until the end of December, any assembly of more than four people will not be allowed in Ayodhya.

Political organisations across the country are appealing their followers to remain calm and maintain peace in the aftermath of the verdict. Furthermore, it is being ensured that the verdict is neither celebrated nor do protests break out against it in the country.

During the 2010 verdict, Mayawati’s government in Uttar Pradesh ensured that even flower and music shops remained closed after the verdict was pronounced.

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will retire on November 17 and the judgment will come any day before his retirement.

As India prepares for one of its most important court verdicts of the century, the city of Ayodhya remains on edge. The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid conflict has remained unresolved since 1992 and the verdict is expected next week.

As India prepares for one of its most important court verdicts of the century, the city of Ayodhya remains on edge. The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid conflict has remained unresolved since 1992 and the verdict is expected next week. The Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi has met with the top officials of the Uttar Pradesh government to overlook the situation as the judgment is due before November 17. Gogoi the State Chief Secretary, the Director-General of Police, and other office-bearers of the state government. He reviewed the security preparedness and possible implications ahead of the crucial judgment. The 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict ordered trifurcation of the land, but the stakeholders appealed against it at the Supreme Court. As the date of the final verdict nears, the central and state governments have started to make full preparations for only the implementation, but also to avoid any potential conflict in the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said that unnecessary controversy on the issue should be avoided at all costs. The authorities are also making special efforts to curb the propagation of fake news on social media websites. In view of this, the state government has deployed 16,000 volunteers to maintain peace. Additionally, four security zones have been created in Ayodhya. These zones have been colour coded into red, yellow, green, and blue zones. The red and yellow zones will be manned by the paramilitary, while the blue and green zones will be manned by the local police. The colours also reflect the intensity of potential hazards. For instance, the red zone covers the disputed site and yellow covers five kilometres outside of it. To avoid any scope of conflict, four-thousand paramilitary forces have been deployed in the holy city. Watch: India braces for Ayodhya judgment The Home Ministry has issued an advisory to state governments to ensure that law and order is maintained throughout the country. The police have sealed off the roads leading to the sensitive Ram Kot area. Even the Indian Railways, which is a major artery of transportation in India, is bracing itself for the verdict through preparation measures. Some railway staff have been called back from their holidays, and their leaves have been annulled. Additionally, 80 major railway stations have been identified as nerve centres and will remain on high alert. To top it all off, until the end of December, any assembly of more than four people will not be allowed in Ayodhya. Political organisations across the country are appealing their followers to remain calm and maintain peace in the aftermath of the verdict. Furthermore, it is being ensured that the verdict is neither celebrated nor do protests break out against it in the country. During the 2010 verdict, Mayawati’s government in Uttar Pradesh ensured that even flower and music shops remained closed after the verdict was pronounced. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will retire on November 17 and the judgment will come any day before his retirement.

Parties appeal followers to maintain peace ahead of Ayodhya verdict, UP deploys 4,000 paramilitary forces

Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Coordination Committee Convener Dr Nadeem Ehsan said that MQM has nothing to do with gangsters from South Africa. The paramilitary Rangers had fraudulently claimed they belong to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wont-accept-paks-double-standard-of-justice-mqm-chief-170575">MQM</a> South Africa chapter.&nbsp;

In fact, that notorious scheme was part of ongoing tricky business of the military establishment for maligning the MQM.

However, the scheme has badly flopped and the establishment was exposed after real facts and details about the South African gang have been made public by the MQM.&nbsp;

The paramilitary Rangers are thus hiding their faces after having been exposed by the MQM. The Convener said this in a press video briefing and was flanked by members of the Coordination Committee. He said that the establishment is constantly placing the MQM under misleading and hate-mongering media trial but has utterly failed in its malicious agenda.&nbsp;

The recent activity of the establishment in which it staged a drama of unearthing a large cache of arms and ammunition and alleged the MQM had owned it has flopped.

As a matter of fact, the arrested gangsters have never been in MQM as workers or under any category but they are in real gangsters belonging to Punjab.&nbsp;

They are Rana Zahid, Ali Bhatti, Ali Rashid and Atique Billa. These criminals belong to a gang of criminals based in Johannesburg in South Africa. They are involved in heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping for ransom, smuggling and other crimes.&nbsp;

These criminals are wanted to Police in South Africa. The Convener said that surprisingly, these notorious criminals regularly attend events and functions organised and hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in South Africa and their photographs with Pakistani envoys in South Africa are all available on the internet.

Dr Ehsan said that, as far as Shuja Ud Din Bobbi is concerned, the MQM had ousted him from the Movement on Jul 28, 2018, and Pakistani and international media was properly informed through the official release.

Likewise, the paramilitary establishment had a few days ago, tried to establish a connection between the MQM and a real estate builder Anis. In fact, Anis is an active member of PSP, which is a gang of criminals created by the military establishment and portrayed as political party.

"As far as the MQM South Africa is concerned, is a strong forte of the MQM and strictly follows the discipline of the MQM."&nbsp;

The MQM Coordination Committee Convener Dr Ehsan said that, "Unearthing the concealed cache of arms and ammunition by the paramilitary Rangers from different houses in Azizabad is just a flopped scheme."&nbsp;

The paramilitary Rangers are enjoying complete control over that area since August 22, 2016.

He asked the paramilitary Rangers to explain to the people of Pakistan and the world as to how it is possible for the smugglers of arms and ammunition to easily transport large caches of arms and ammunition while the military and its paramilitary forces are stationed at each corner of the city and the country.

The paramilitary Rangers have during past a decade raided thousands of houses but they faced no resistance which is proof that the MQM and its designees and workers are purely political and non-violent.&nbsp;

Henceforth, the military establishment and its paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies should stop maligning the MQM as their every maligning act against the MQM has bounced back with sheer humiliation.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Coordination Committee Convener Dr Nadeem Ehsan said that MQM has nothing to do with gangsters from South Africa. The paramilitary Rangers had fraudulently claimed they belong to MQM South Africa chapter.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Coordination Committee Convener Dr Nadeem Ehsan said that MQM has nothing to do with gangsters from South Africa. The paramilitary Rangers had fraudulently claimed they belong to MQM South Africa chapter. In fact, that notorious scheme was part of ongoing tricky business of the military establishment for maligning the MQM. However, the scheme has badly flopped and the establishment was exposed after real facts and details about the South African gang have been made public by the MQM. The paramilitary Rangers are thus hiding their faces after having been exposed by the MQM. The Convener said this in a press video briefing and was flanked by members of the Coordination Committee. He said that the establishment is constantly placing the MQM under misleading and hate-mongering media trial but has utterly failed in its malicious agenda. The recent activity of the establishment in which it staged a drama of unearthing a large cache of arms and ammunition and alleged the MQM had owned it has flopped. As a matter of fact, the arrested gangsters have never been in MQM as workers or under any category but they are in real gangsters belonging to Punjab. They are Rana Zahid, Ali Bhatti, Ali Rashid and Atique Billa. These criminals belong to a gang of criminals based in Johannesburg in South Africa. They are involved in heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping for ransom, smuggling and other crimes. These criminals are wanted to Police in South Africa. The Convener said that surprisingly, these notorious criminals regularly attend events and functions organised and hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in South Africa and their photographs with Pakistani envoys in South Africa are all available on the internet. Dr Ehsan said that, as far as Shuja Ud Din Bobbi is concerned, the MQM had ousted him from the Movement on Jul 28, 2018, and Pakistani and international media was properly informed through the official release. Likewise, the paramilitary establishment had a few days ago, tried to establish a connection between the MQM and a real estate builder Anis. In fact, Anis is an active member of PSP, which is a gang of criminals created by the military establishment and portrayed as political party. "As far as the MQM South Africa is concerned, is a strong forte of the MQM and strictly follows the discipline of the MQM." The MQM Coordination Committee Convener Dr Ehsan said that, "Unearthing the concealed cache of arms and ammunition by the paramilitary Rangers from different houses in Azizabad is just a flopped scheme." The paramilitary Rangers are enjoying complete control over that area since August 22, 2016. He asked the paramilitary Rangers to explain to the people of Pakistan and the world as to how it is possible for the smugglers of arms and ammunition to easily transport large caches of arms and ammunition while the military and its paramilitary forces are stationed at each corner of the city and the country. The paramilitary Rangers have during past a decade raided thousands of houses but they faced no resistance which is proof that the MQM and its designees and workers are purely political and non-violent. Henceforth, the military establishment and its paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies should stop maligning the MQM as their every maligning act against the MQM has bounced back with sheer humiliation.

MQM exposes military establishment on so-called unearthing of arms, ammunition

A policeman was killed and over 100 people wounded as Pakistani forces fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas in a bid to disperse an Islamist sit-in that has virtually paralysed the country&#39;s capital for weeks.

Smoke and tear gas filled the air as the roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear were also seen throwing rocks and using slingshots in the ongoing bid to clear 2,000 or so hardline demonstrators which began soon after dawn.&nbsp;

AFP reporters at the site said more protesters were arriving, though it was difficult to tell how many. Trees had been cut down to block roads, and protesters were burning tyres. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s media regulator barred local TV channels from broadcasting live images from the scene as violence intensified.

(Also Read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-orders-tv-channels-to-go-off-air-during-crackdown-on-islamist-protest-25090"> Pakistan orders TV channels to go off air during crackdown on Islamist protest</a>) 
 
At least 110 injured people have been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, a spokesman from the hospital told AFP, adding that 66 of them were members of the security forces.&nbsp;

An Islamabad police spokesman confirmed that a policeman was killed in the fighting after he was struck in the head by a rock. Television footage showed a police van and demonstrators&#39;&nbsp;tents on fire. 
 
The sit-in by the little-known hardline group called Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP) has blocked a main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters.

The protesters are demanding that Pakistan&#39;s law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.

Demonstrators have linked it to blasphemy - a highly contentious issue in Muslim Pakistan - and claim the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmadis, a long-persecuted Islamic minority sect.

Local media reported that small protests - each with several dozen TLYRAP supporters - were breaking out in other cities, including Karachi and Lahore, as the Islamabad operation dragged on through Saturday.

An Islamabad police official had said before the violent clashes that the operation sought to avoid any loss of life on either side.

The sit-in has also cost the life of an eight-year-old child whose ambulance could not reach a hospital in time due to the blocked roads, a statement from Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court confirmed this week.

Despite the protest&#39;s relatively small initial size, authorities have hesitated to act against it, citing fears of violence as the demonstrators have vowed to die for their cause.

But government inaction has drawn the fury of the courts as well as millions of residents in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi. The Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court have issued blistering criticism and threatened to hold officials in contempt for their inaction.

Analysts and critics have accused the government of bungling its response to the protest and allowing a minor issue to grow into a headline-grabbing and potentially dangerous situation.

It set an alarming precedent, that &quot;anytime anyone is upset with the government, the capital may be choked and the government will bend its knees,&quot; warned Zeeshan Salahuddin of the Center for Research and Security Studies, a think tank in Islamabad.

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Smoke and tear gas filled the air as the roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear were also seen throwing rocks and using slingshots in the ongoing bid to clear 2,000 or so hardline demonstrators which began soon after dawn

A policeman was killed and over 100 people wounded as Pakistani forces fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas in a bid to disperse an Islamist sit-in that has virtually paralysed the country's capital for weeks. Smoke and tear gas filled the air as the roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear were also seen throwing rocks and using slingshots in the ongoing bid to clear 2,000 or so hardline demonstrators which began soon after dawn. AFP reporters at the site said more protesters were arriving, though it was difficult to tell how many. Trees had been cut down to block roads, and protesters were burning tyres. Pakistan's media regulator barred local TV channels from broadcasting live images from the scene as violence intensified. (Also Read: Pakistan orders TV channels to go off air during crackdown on Islamist protest) At least 110 injured people have been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, a spokesman from the hospital told AFP, adding that 66 of them were members of the security forces. An Islamabad police spokesman confirmed that a policeman was killed in the fighting after he was struck in the head by a rock. Television footage showed a police van and demonstrators' tents on fire. The sit-in by the little-known hardline group called Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP) has blocked a main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters. The protesters are demanding that Pakistan's law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear. Demonstrators have linked it to blasphemy - a highly contentious issue in Muslim Pakistan - and claim the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmadis, a long-persecuted Islamic minority sect. Local media reported that small protests - each with several dozen TLYRAP supporters - were breaking out in other cities, including Karachi and Lahore, as the Islamabad operation dragged on through Saturday. An Islamabad police official had said before the violent clashes that the operation sought to avoid any loss of life on either side. The sit-in has also cost the life of an eight-year-old child whose ambulance could not reach a hospital in time due to the blocked roads, a statement from Pakistan's Supreme Court confirmed this week. Despite the protest's relatively small initial size, authorities have hesitated to act against it, citing fears of violence as the demonstrators have vowed to die for their cause. But government inaction has drawn the fury of the courts as well as millions of residents in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi. The Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court have issued blistering criticism and threatened to hold officials in contempt for their inaction. Analysts and critics have accused the government of bungling its response to the protest and allowing a minor issue to grow into a headline-grabbing and potentially dangerous situation. It set an alarming precedent, that "anytime anyone is upset with the government, the capital may be choked and the government will bend its knees," warned Zeeshan Salahuddin of the Center for Research and Security Studies, a think tank in Islamabad.

One dead, over 100 injured as Islamist sit-in paralyses Islamabad

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