Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has vowed to stand firm until his demands, including repealing the 26th Constitutional Amendment, as his party supporters march to Islamabad for his release.

“My message for my team is to fight until the last ball is bowled. We will not back down until our demands are met!” he said in a message from jail on Tuesday. It was published on Facebook.

His statement came at a time when thousands of his supporters reached the federal capital. March led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s wife made it all the way to the edge of the city’s highly fortified red zone, before being pushed back by hundreds of security force personnel.

At least six people, including four paramilitary soldiers, were killed during clashes between security forces and protesters.

The government has vowed to maintain order in the city. According to reporters covering the protest, lights were turned off near the D-Chowk and operation was under way.

Khan praised his supporters for participating in the protest and alleged that paramilitary forces and police fired tear gas and shot at political workers on the instructions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

“Let me tell you, they will have to answer for this!” he said and claimed that protesters were not only peaceful, but they “even assisted” the police officers and Rangers when they were in need of help.

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“My thanks go to overseas Pakistanis around the globe, who are not only mobilising Pakistanis and contributing funds, but also holding historic protests in their respective countries,” the former PM said. He also praised the party’s social media team.

“To those threatening to try me in military court: Do what you must; I will not back down from my stance,” he said and urged those who haven’t yet joined the protest to head to D-Chowk.

The jailed former PM asked protesters to remain peaceful.