Violence Erupts in Pakistan: More Than Ten Killed as Pro-Iran Mob Storms US Consulate in Karachi
Deadly clashes have erupted outside the US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, as protests over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader turn violent, leaving at least ten people dead and dozens wounded.
The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes has ignited a firestorm of anger far beyond the Middle East, sparking bloody confrontations in Pakistan.
In the southern port city of Karachi, security forces opened fire on a mob of hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters who attempted to storm the American consulate early Sunday morning, resulting in multiple casualties.
More than ten people have lost their lives near the diplomatic mission, with more than 70 others suffering injuries in the chaos. Video footage captures the immediate aftermath, showing bystanders rushing a wounded person away from the scene on Mai Kolahi Road. Other images depict the intense moments when demonstrators tried to breach the heavily fortified consulate building.
Nationwide Unrest Follows Assassination
The violence in Karachi is not an isolated incident. The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei has acted as a catalyst for widespread demonstrations across Pakistan, particularly in regions with significant Shia populations.
In the northern region of Gilgit Baltistan, the situation turned equally deadly. Rescue official Zaheer Shah confirmed to the AFP news agency that at least seven people have died and dozens more are wounded following clashes there.
The anger has also targeted international organizations. In the city of Skardu, also located in the Shia-majority Gilgit Baltistan region, protesters set fire to a United Nations office building.
Local government spokesperson Shabbir Mir confirmed to Reuters that a “large number of protesters” gathered outside the UN office and burned the structure to the ground. Fortunately, authorities reported no casualties from that specific incident.
Security Crackdown in Islamabad
In the federal capital, Islamabad, authorities moved swiftly to contain the growing unrest. Police blocked all roads leading to the Red Zone, a high-security area that houses diplomatic missions, including the US embassy and the Pakistani Parliament. When hundreds of protesters attempted to march toward the diplomatic enclave, police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the crowds, according to Reuters.
The wave of violence signifies the deep religious and political sentiments stirred by the assassination. As the news of Ayatollah Khamenei’s death reverberates through the Muslim world, Pakistan has become a flashpoint, with its security forces struggling to balance public outrage against the need to protect foreign diplomatic missions.
