ISLAMABAD, July 8: Ten policemen were injured, two of them seriously, in a clash with the activists of Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT) who were protesting on Friday against the US embassy for hosting a gay rights event last month.

Police fired teargas shells and also baton charged the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba activists in Aabpara Chowk to stop from marching towards the American embassy in the Diplomatic Enclave.

In retaliation, the protesters threw stones on the anti-riot police. Though the police succeeded in preventing the activists from heading towards the embassy, ten of them were injured.

The roads leading towards the heavily-guarded Diplomatic Enclave had already been sealed by the district administration with barbed wires and concrete blocks.

After the Friday prayers, nearly 100 Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba activists carrying placards inscribed with anti-US slogans gathered in Aabpara Chowk.

They said they were protesting against the US embassy for hosting its first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride celebration on June 26.

Eyewitnesses said the protesters shouting slogans against the US started marching towards the embassy but they were stopped by the police deployed there.

As the policemen tried to cordon off the area, the protesters started throwing stones on them. Police had to fire teargas shells to prevent them from heading towards the restricted area.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Dr Khalil Ahmed said ten police men were injured, two of them seriously, in the clash.

He said 22 protesters were arrested and a case was registered against them on the charges of violating ban on protests and demonstrations in the capital and attacking the police.

He said Head Constable Mohammad Afzal had received a head injury while another policeman's suffered a nose fracture. They were shifted to Polyclinic where their condition is stated to be stable. Later the remaining protesters were dispersed.

There have been a number of protest rallies against the US embassy over hosting the event in Islamabad.