Nine people were killed and over a dozen others injured after violent clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement personnel outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi on Sunday, following reports of the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The confrontation occurred on Mai Kolachi Road (MT Khan Road) when a large number of demonstrators marched towards the U.S. Consulate and allegedly attempted to breach security barriers. Police and other security personnel moved to block their advance, leading to intense clashes.
Rescue 1122 Sindh spokesperson Hassan Ul Haseeb confirmed that nine protesters lost their lives in the incident, while more than 12 sustained injuries. Several of the wounded were said to be in critical condition. The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment.
Officials said that most of the injured suffered bullet wounds, while others sustained injuries due to baton charges. However, it was not immediately clear who opened fire during the unrest.
According to the Edhi Foundation, police used teargas shelling and baton charge to disperse the crowd after protesters attempted to force their way towards the consulate premises.
Protesters, in turn, resorted to stone-pelting.
During the violence, enraged demonstrators set a traffic police post and a motorcycle on fire in the Sultanabad area. Due to the deteriorating law and order situation, roads leading to Numaish Chowrangi were closed for traffic, and vehicles were diverted to alternate routes.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from police authorities. He also directed officials to enhance security at all sensitive installations across the province.
Meanwhile, protests also erupted in Lahore, where demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Consulate at Shimla Pahari. Police thwarted attempts by protesters to move closer to the consulate building. Some security camps installed outside the premises were reportedly damaged, and protesters staged a sit-in at the site. A large number of youths, women and children participated in the demonstration, with several holding portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities have tightened security in major cities amid apprehensions of further protests.
