Pakistan PM Nawaz in hiding, death toll reaches 11

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- UPDATE: 7:24 p.m. EDT:

Ammar Turabi reports clashes between police and protesters in Islamabad have left at least 11 dead, including children, and at least 300 wounded. Police are allegedly placing bodies behind shipping containers that were used to protect Nawaz Sharif's home.

Nawaz is allegedly in hiding in Lahore.

Turabi further reports that police have instructed local hospitals not to allow TV crews in and protests are beginning to pick up in other cities.

Protesters are calling on the military to intervene "without delay."

Original story follows:

Anti-government protesters armed with wire cutters and led by politicians Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri advanced on the home of prime minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday.

Under pressure from protesters, Nawaz reportedly fled Islamabad for Lahore, the capital of the province of Punjab.

Ammar Turabi, a Pakistani-American on the scene, reports that police have used live ammunition to attempt to contain the protesters, allegedly leaving at least seven protesters dead and many seriously wounded.

The army, until now a mediator in the political crisis, has allegedly been called to intervene. Current violence was detonated by debate over the military's role in the political conflict and accusations that Nawaz lied to parliament when he said Imran and Qadri had invoked the military's assistance.

Imran and Qadri denied Nawaz's statement, accusing him in separate speeches of "lying to the nation."

Imran, a former cricket star, and Qadri, an Islamic and constitutional scholar, have demanded Nawaz's resignation since Aug. 15. They claim Nawaz rigged the general elections in 2013.

A warrant for the arrest of Qadri and 71 of his supporters has been issued.