New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan suffered bullet injuries and taken to a hospital in Lahore after assailants opened fire at his container during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party's 'Long March' in Gujranwala on Thursday. Several people, including PTI leader Faisal Javed, was injured in the firing, Dawn News reported.
One of the attackers, identified as M Naveed, was arrested from the spot. He said he tried killing Imran because he was "misleading the people", Dawn reported. "I tried my best to kill him. I wanted to kill Imran Khan only and no one else," the attacker said.
Party leader Imran Ismail told Dawn that party chief Imran Khan was shot in the leg "three to four" times. The attacker was directly in front of the container and was wielding a AK-47, he said.
Television footage run on several Pakistani television channels shows that Imran was injured and moved to a car with the help of other people present at the site. The footages show a bandage tied around the Khan's leg.
Following the attack, Khan said, "God has granted me a new life, will fight back with full strength," tweeted several Pakistani journalists.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took cognizance of the incident and has condemned the firing incident and also demanded a report on the same.
Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "It's a development that just took place. We're closely keeping an eye and we will continue to monitor ongoing developments. Don't have anything beyond that to say as it's just a developing story."
Taking notice of the firing incident, Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi instructed the provincial IGP to submit a report after thorough investigation.
“Those behind this incident will be brought to justice soon and the injured will be provided the best medical care,” the chief minister said, as per the Dawn report.
Earlier this year in April, Khan was ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership. Last month, Pakistan's election commission disqualified Khan from holding public office in a case described by the former Pakistan cricket team captain as politically motived.