Supporters seeking the release of imprisoned Pakistani former Prime Minister Imran Khan broke through a ring of shipping containers blocking off the capital on Tuesday, and battled security forces despite a government threat to respond with gunfire.

Thousands of people are in the heart of Pakistan’s capital to demand the release. He has been behind bars since August 2023 on charges that he and his supporters say are politically motivated. Authorities have deployed thousands of security personnel to seal off the city,

Thousands of demonstrators supporting former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan broke through barricades around Islamabad on Tuesday, killing four security service members and moving toward the center of the city.