Imran Khan undergoes surgery in Lahore, shrapnel found in right leg: reports

Imran Khan has undergone surgery in a Lahore hospital after bullet shrapnel was found in right leg.

The former Pakistan Prime Minister suffered bullet injuries after gunmen opened fire during his rally in Punjab's Wazirabad on Thursday.

Pakistan's Dr Faisal Sultan, the former assistant to the prime minister on health, told reporters that PTI chairman Imran Khan’s condition is stable but according to X-rays and scans, there are fragments of bullets in his legs and there’s a chip in his tibia shin bone.

The firing occurred near Allahwala Chowk of Wazirabad town in Punjab when 70-year-old Khan was leading the long march to Islamabad demanding early elections.

In a statement, the Punjab police said that seven people were injured and one person was killed during the attack on Khan. It added that a suspect has been taken into custody.

According to reports, there was another attacker who was shot dead.

Pakistan's top leadership, political leaders and the military strongly condemned the attack on Khan.

Also watch: Protests erupt in Pakistan after 'assassination' attempt on Imran Khan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and directed the Interior Minister for an immediate report on the incident.

"I pray for the recovery and health of PTI chairman & other injured people. Federal government will extend all support necessary to Punjab govt for security & investigation. Violence should have no place in our country's politics," Sharif tweeted.

He has instructed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to seek an immediate report on the incident from the police.

Prime Minister Sharif also postponed a press conference on his recent trip to China after the firing incident, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted.

President Arif Alvi termed the attack on Khan as "heinous assassination attempt." "I thank Allah that he is safe but injured with few bullets in his leg & hopefully non-critical. This attack is shocking, alarming, disgraceful, deceitful & cowardly. May Allah give him health & to all those injured," tweeted Alvi, who belonged to Khan's party before assuming presidency.

The Pakistan Army has issued a statement condemning the attack on Khan. “Firing incident during Long March near Gujranwala is highly condemnable. Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well being of Chairman PTI Mr Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident,” it said.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif also condemned the firing incident.

"I condemn the firing incident on Imran Khan and his companions and pray for their recovery of all those injured,” he tweeted.

Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari "strongly condemned" the attack on Khan and prayed for his swift recovery.

(With PTI inputs)