Violent clashes erupt at Islamists' rally in Pakistan, 4 including 2 cops killed

Violent clashes erupted between Pakistan’s security forces & radical Islamists in Lahore. Police said clashes left four people dead, including two policemen & 15 others injured. Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers had launched a rally from Lahore to Islamabad. The radical Islamists demanded the release of their leader Saad Rizvi who was arrested in April. Rizvi demanded expulsion of the French ambassador & was held for demonstrations against France. This had come after a French magazine reportedly published caricatures of Prophet Muhammad. On Friday, security forces tried to thwart rally-goers from proceeding towards Islamabad. Forces fired over 2,500 tear gas shells at TLP workers following which protests turned violent. Lahore turned into a tense cauldron, after being virtually cut off from the rest of the nation. Authorities had also suspended mobile phone service in parts of Lahore & blocked roads. TLP leader Pir Ajmal Qadri had earlier said a peaceful procession would begin after Friday prayers. Rizvi was detained by the Punjab govt under maintenance of public order following TLP’s protests.