A protest at Sarhad University in Islamabad turned violent after an armed forces officer allegedly intervened in a student demonstration, with witnesses claiming the officer’s wife, a faculty member at the university, had earlier slapped students during the protest.

According to preliminary accounts, students were protesting against the university administration when the faculty member allegedly confronted them and slapped one or more students. She then reportedly called her husband, identified by university sources as a Lieutenant Colonel, to the campus.

The officer allegedly arrived at the university and confronted the protesting students. Witnesses said he used a stick to hit students, triggering an angry reaction from the protesters, who then allegedly attacked him.

During the confrontation, the officer reportedly drew his pistol and fired shots into the air, with accounts saying the firing was carried out in self-defense after he came under attack.

The incident caused tension across the university, prompting a heavy police deployment to the campus.

Videos and accounts circulating about the incident have led to conflicting claims about what happened. The sequence of events, including who initiated the physical confrontation and the circumstances surrounding the firing, has not yet been independently established.

Police presence has been increased at the university as authorities assess the incident and work to prevent further clashes.

Further details are expected as police and university officials investigate the confrontation.