Imran Khan arrest: Indian defence forces keeping close watch on situation in Pakistan; top updates

Amid the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and the ensuing protests in Pakistan, the Indian defence forces are keeping a close watch on the situation in the neighbouring country, ANI reported citing defence sources. A strong vigil is also being maintained by the defence forces along the Line of Control and the international border, the sources added. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was arrested by the country's National Accountability Bureau from Islamabad on Tuesday. His arrest triggered protests and backlash from his supporters throughout Pakistan. Khan was arrested in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. He was taken into custody by Pakistan Rangers from outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). A video showed Khan being whisked off by scores of armed security forces personnel in a black armoured vehicle. Khan has been taken by the NAB to its office in Rawalpindi.

The arrest of the cricketer-turned-politician came after the Pakistan army had warned him to refrain from making “baseless allegations” after Khan had accused a senior army officer of plotting to kill him, as per The Express Tribune. Khan’s relations with the military are at an all-time low. He was backed by the country’s politically influential military as he rose to power in 2018. But the military had withdrawn its support to Khan before the parliamentary vote of confidence that resulted in his ouster last year.