Several members of Pakistan's security forces have reportedly been killed as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan breached a police lockdown to enter Islamabad, Al Jazeera reported on November 26.

The government confirmed that four security personnel died after being struck by a vehicle as thousands of protesters defied barricades and tear gas to reach the capital. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters are demanding his release ahead of a court hearing on terrorism charges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the unrest, stating, “It is not a peaceful protest. It is extremism.” According to the government, the deaths occurred when a vehicle rammed into security personnel, though conflicting reports have surfaced.

Al Jazeera correspondent Kamal Hyder described the situation in Islamabad as “extremely tense,” highlighting contradictory accounts of the incident. While authorities blamed protesters for the ramming, witnesses claimed a security vehicle fled in panic as the demonstrators closed in.

The unrest follows two days of violent clashes on Islamabad’s outskirts. Despite a two-month ban on public gatherings, protesters have dismantled roadblocks and ignored government threats of gunfire. Unconfirmed reports suggest a civilian and a policeman may also have died during the confrontation.

Imran Khan, removed from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote, has been jailed for over a year on corruption charges and faces more than 150 criminal cases. His PTI party claims the cases are politically motivated, while the government insists the courts alone can determine his fate.

Authorities have arrested over 4,000 PTI supporters since the protests began. Educational institutions remain shut, and internet services have been suspended in parts of the country, severely disrupting communication.

According to India News, travel to and from Islamabad has been brought to a halt, with roads blocked by shipping containers. Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and VPN services have been disrupted, making it difficult for PTI to organise protests and share updates. Social media, a key tool for PTI's mobilisation efforts, has been heavily restricted, with X (formerly Twitter) inaccessible even via VPN.

The violence comes amid an official visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, further complicating the situation in Pakistan’s capital, India News reported.

On November 24, Imran Khan called on his supporters to rally in Islamabad and demand his release from prison, Indian Express reported. PTI workers are also pressing for fresh elections, accusing the government of rigging previous polls and undermining democracy.

The protesters are further demanding the reversal of constitutional amendments that they claim have curtailed judicial powers. Imran Khan has argued that these amendments have severely compromised judicial independence.