Pakistani Police Launch Operation To Clear Islamist Rally

Pakistani police launched on November 25 an operation to clear an intersection linking the capital, Islamabad, with the nearby city of Rawalpindi where sympathizers of an Islamist group have camped out for the past three weeks. The roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear began clearing the 2,000 or so demonstrators soon after dawn, with nearby roads and markets closed. Police arrested dozens of people after using tear gas to disperse protesters who were resisting by throwing stones. (RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal)