At least 139 people were injured on Saturday as clashes erupted between security agencies and religious groups who have held an 18-day-long sit-in at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange despite repeated requests by the government to clear the area.

The crackdown ordered by the Islamabad High Court was launched after the last of a long series of deadlines lapsed on Saturday morning without response from the agitating parties.

Roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear are taking part in the clearance operation of over 2,000 protesters in the capital city.

Law enforcement personnel are using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse agitators. In response, the protesters have been using stones and rocks to attack the advancing security forces.