KARACHI, March 1 (Alliance News): At least nine people were killed and 18 others injured on Sunday after violent clashes erupted between police and demonstrators outside the US Consulate Karachi during protests against US and Israeli strikes that reportedly martyred Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to rescue officials from the Edhi ambulance service, six bodies and 10 injured individuals were initially shifted from MT Khan Road to Civil Hospital Karachi.
Later, hospital authorities confirmed that the number of casualties had risen, with at least eight bodies received at the trauma centre and around 20 injured persons undergoing treatment. One of the injured later succumbed to wounds, raising the death toll to nine.
Medical officials stated that the victims sustained injuries from gunfire, baton charges, and a stampede triggered during the unrest. Dr Sabir Memon, head of the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Karachi, confirmed that emergency teams were providing treatment to the wounded, some of whom were in critical condition.
The protest began when a large crowd gathered outside the US Consulate and attempted to march toward the premises. Demonstrators reportedly pelted stones, prompting police to respond with tear gas shelling and force to disperse the crowd.
The confrontation quickly escalated into violence, resulting in casualties and widespread panic in the area.
Traffic in the vicinity was severely disrupted as authorities sealed off key routes. Roads from Sultanabad leading to Mai Kolachi were closed, causing major congestion.
Karachi Traffic Police diverted vehicles from Jinnah Bridge towards II Chundrigar Road, while traffic from Boat Basin was turned back at Mai Kolachi Phatak and vehicles from PIDC were redirected.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Additional IG Karachi.
In his statement, Lanjar stressed that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and directed authorities to strengthen security at all sensitive installations across the province.
In Islamabad, police blocked all routes leading to the Red Zone, which houses diplomatic missions and Parliament, to prevent any unrest.
In Lahore, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US consulate but dispersed without violence after police intervention. Witnesses said some demonstrators attempted to damage a security gate, but law enforcement managed the situation without using force.
Meanwhile, similar demonstrations were also reported in Baghdad, where pro-Iranian protesters gathered outside the Green Zone near the US Embassy, reflecting growing regional tensions.
