Overview of the Muridke Protest Violence
On October 13, 2025, violent clashes erupted in Muridke, a town in Punjab province, Pakistan, during a protest march organized by the hardline Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The group, known for its anti-blasphemy stance and history of street protests, was heading from Lahore toward Islamabad to stage a sit-in outside the US Embassy in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The march, dubbed the “Gaza March,” began on October 10 and escalated into chaos when authorities blocked routes with trenches, shipping containers, and heavy security deployments, including Pakistan Rangers and police from multiple districts.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Negotiations between TLP leaders and government officials collapsed late on October 12, leading to a pre-dawn “dispersal operation” by law enforcement starting around 3 a.m. on October 13. Protesters, numbering in the thousands, reportedly responded with stones, petrol bombs, spiked batons, and gunfire, while police used tear gas, batons, and live rounds to clear the area. The operation lasted several hours, resulting in widespread arson (over 40 vehicles burned), arrests (more than 100 TLP members detained), and a temporary internet and mobile blackout in the region to curb coordination.
By evening, authorities declared the area cleared, roads reopened, and normalcy restored in nearby Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Educational institutions resumed operations after a four-day suspension, and mobile services were fully restored. However, the death toll remains a point of fierce contention, with unverified social media reports amplifying claims far beyond official figures.
Casualty Figures: Official vs. Reported
Casualty numbers vary dramatically between government statements, TLP claims, and eyewitness/social media accounts. Official reports emphasize restraint by police and attribute violence to protesters, while TLP accuses state forces of a “massacre.” Independent verification is limited due to the communications blackout and restricted media access during the clashes.
| Source Type | Deaths | Injuries | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (Punjab Police/Government) | 4–5 (including 1–2 police officers, 3 TLP members, and 1 bystander) | 56–112 (mostly police; some protesters) | Police claim operation was in “self-defense” after protesters fired first. SHO Shehzad Nawaz (Factory Area) killed by gunfire; another officer possibly crushed. No confirmation of mass burning of bodies. |
| TLP/Party Spokespersons | 11–282 (all TLP members) | 50–1,500 (mostly TLP workers) | TLP chief Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi reportedly shot multiple times and in critical condition (denied by police IGP). Claims include protesters “burned alive” in containers and armored vehicles running over crowds. |
| Media Reports (Mixed/International) | 10–13 (TLP members and police) | 150–200+ | NDTV/Express Tribune report 11–13 killed; News18 cites “grand operation” with 13 dead, 150+ injured. Some outlets note unverified videos of bodies on streets. |
| Social Media/Eyewitness Claims | 70–282+ (mostly TLP protesters) | 500–2,000+ (critical cases untreated) | Viral videos show gunfire, burning vehicles, and alleged crushed bodies. Claims of “warzone” conditions, with protesters mowed down by armored trucks. TLP supporters label it “state brutality”; critics call TLP “terrorists.” No independent confirmation of >200 deaths. |
The “more than 200 killed” figure originates primarily from TLP spokespersons and unverified social media posts, which gained traction amid the blackout. Hospital sources cited in Geo.tv report far fewer admissions, describing higher claims as “exaggerated.” International outlets like BBC and Arab News stick to lower figures (5–13 deaths), noting the lack of on-ground access. Over the prior days (October 10–12), cumulative clashes in Lahore and en route added ~11 TLP deaths per TLP claims.
Broader Context and Reactions
- TLP’s Motive: Initially protesting a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire (which Pakistan supported), the march shifted to general pro-Palestine solidarity. TLP has a history of violent rallies, including a 2021 blockade that killed dozens.
- Government Response: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz called the unrest “treason and terrorism.” PM Shehbaz Sharif reviewed security with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Lawyers’ groups condemned police action and demanded inquiries.
- Public Sentiment on X: Posts reflect polarization—sympathy for protesters as “martyrs” vs. support for crackdown against “extremists.” Videos of chaos (gunfire, flames) are widespread but undated/unverified.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Over 100 arrests, with calls for medical aid to injured. Rights groups may investigate, but no major international outcry yet.
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