ISLAMABAD, April 2: The black coats in the city on Monday forced senior police officers to order registration of a criminal case against three security officials of the governor of Gilgit-Balitistan.

It all happened when the car of Zafar Mehmood Khokhar advocate collided with another vehicle at Faisal Avenue near Benazir Chowk early in the day.

The two drivers engaged in arguments in the middle of the road and other lawyers going to the district courts also stopped to give moral support to their colleague. As a result, the highway was blocked within minutes.

In the meanwhile, the motorcade of Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah while going to the Northern Areas House at F-5 to take him to the airport got stuck in the traffic blockade.

The security staff in the motorcade tried to clear the road and somehow five of the vehicles succeeded in crossing the blockade. However, one of the vehicles - a Vigo (GLTA-6966) - carrying three policemen, the driver and two gunmen - could not get out of the gridlock.

When they tried to clear the road, the lawyers got annoyed and an exchange of harsh words ensued during which one of the policemen slapped Mr Khokhar.

This provoked the black coats who overpowered the policeman and tried to damage the official vehicle. Another policeman then fired multiple shots into the air in self-defence and to keep the lawyers away from the vehicle.

The Margalla police reached the spot and shifted the three policemen along with the vehicle to the police station.

A large number of lawyers also reached the police station and demanded registration of a criminal case against the officials.

But the SHO refused saying they were on official duty and going to pick up the governor. Besides, their reaction of firing into the air was aimed at clearing the blockade and self-defence.

However, the lawyers threatened to call a strike and protest against the police and started contacting different bars.

Later, on the directives of their seniors, the police registered a case against the three officials under section 324 and 506 of the PPC and arrested them.