Police storm Imran Khan's home and arrest 30 amid tear gas and bullet fire in chaotic stand-off

Police have stormed the home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore, Pakistan, and arrested 30 people amid chaotic tear gas shelling after someone opened fire from the roof of the building, officials said.

Senior officer Suhail Sukhera said police moved on the property to remove ‘encroachments’ and ‘blockades’ erected by Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party and his supporters.

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

Mr Sukhera said police found masks, petrol-filled bottles, iron rods and batons inside Mr Khan’s residence which were used in attacks on police last week.

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

Islamabad High Court yesterday suspended an arrest warrant issued against Mr Khan to ensure he could appear before the court to face alleged corruption charges.

But Mr Khan has hit back at the storming of his home, claiming the ‘siege of Lahore’ was intended to take him ‘away to prison’. 

Mr Khan said on Twitter: ‘It is now clear that, despite my having gotten bail in all my cases, the (Pakistan Democratic Movement coalition) govt intends to arrest me.

Source of data and images: dailymail