Authorities in Pakistan launch operation to clear Khan supporters from capital

Paramilitary soldiers fire tear gas shells to disperse supporters of Imran Khan’s party during clashes in Islamabad (Irtisham Ahmed/AP)

Pakistani security forces have launched an operation to disperse supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison.

The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire.