Police storm Imran Khan’s home and arrest 30 amid tear gas and gunfire in a chaotic confrontation

Police stormed the home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore, Pakistan, arresting 30 people amid a chaotic barrage of tear gas after someone opened fire from the roof of the building, authorities said.

Senior officer Suhail Sukhera said police entered the property to remove “encroachments” and “blockades” put up by Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its supporters.

Sukhera added that supporters tried to resist police by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails and claimed police entered Khan’s residence after a man on the property’s roof began shooting.

It comes as Mr. Khan is due to appear in court in Islamabad, Pakistan today to address charges of illegally selling state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries during his time in office.

Sukhera said police found masks, bottles filled with gasoline, iron bars and batons inside Khan’s residence that were used in attacks on police last week.

Sukhera said police found masks, bottles filled with gasoline, iron bars and batons inside Khan’s residence that were used in attacks on police last week.

Witnesses said police tried to disperse Khan’s supporters by firing tear gas and chased them to several houses in the nearby Zaman Park area.

The Islamabad High Court yesterday stayed an arrest warrant issued against Khan to ensure he can appear in court to face alleged corruption charges.

But Mr Khan responded to the assault on his home, claiming that the “Lahore siege” was intended to land him “in prison”.

Khan said on Twitter: “It is now clear that despite having been released on bail in all my cases, the government (Pakistan Democratic Movement coalition) intends to arrest me.

“Despite knowing your bad faith intentions, I am heading to Islamabad and the court because I believe in the rule of law.

“It is also obvious now that the entire siege of Lahore was not to ensure that I would appear in court in a case, but was intended to put me in prison so that I could not lead our election campaign.”

Khan also added in a video message that the government had planned his arrest even though he traveled to the hearing.

He said police had broken into his residence in Lahore, Pakistan, while his wife was alone on the property.

But Mr Khan responded to the assault on his home, claiming that the “siege of Lahore” was intended to land him “in prison”.

He condemned the action and demanded that those responsible be punished in accordance with the law.

But Pakistan’s information minister said this week that the government had nothing to do with the police action and that the police were complying with court orders.

Khan had been at his Lahore home since Tuesday after failing to appear at an earlier hearing, citing “security” concerns.

His supporters hurled stones and clashed with baton-wielding police for two days to avoid arrest.

Khan, 70, now in the opposition, was ousted in a vote of no confidence in Parliament last April.

He is accused of selling state gifts and hiding assets during his tenure between 2018 and 2022.

It is one of a series of cases the former cricket star turned politician has faced since he was ousted.

He also claimed that his removal from power was part of a conspiracy between his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the United States.

Both Washington and the Sharif government have denied the accusations.