Sindh Home Minister Seeks Report, Orders Tighter Security; He says no one can take the law into their own hands.
Clashes broke out between police and protesters on MAJ Khan Road in Karachi as protesters marched towards the US consulate in demonstrations against the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
At least six people were killed and several injured on Sunday after clashes broke out between police and protesters on MT Khan Road as a crowd marched towards the US consulate following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
Edhi Information confirmed that six people were killed and several injured near Mai Kolachi Road during the firing and rioting. They were transferred to the Traumatology Center of the Civil Hospital.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Langar sought immediate details from the Additional IG Karachi and stressed that “no one will be able to take the law into their own hands.”
He called for greater security at sensitive facilities. He added that alternative routes must be determined to maintain traffic flow during the protests.
“Law enforcement agencies are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation,” the minister added.
The minister concluded that action will be taken against those who disturb public order in accordance with the law.
Shiite organizations had announced a march to the US consulate in Karachi in protest of the Ayatollah’s death and expressed their intention to march towards the mission.
Edhi Information confirmed that several injured people were shifted to the Civil Hospital following reports of gunshots. A heavy police contingent was still deployed on MT Khan Road.
Police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, while protesters responded with stone throwing.
The demonstration started from Abbas city on Abul Hasan Isphahani road. The organizers and a large number of workers of Shia organizations also started gathering at Numaish Chowrangi.
Participants, including organizers and supporters of Shiite groups, were seen advancing toward the US consulate as the meeting continued.
Read: More attacks target Iran after US-Israeli strike kills Supreme Leader Khamenei
Traffic police said routes leading to Numaish Chowrangi had been closed and alternative routes were being provided to motorists.
Angry protesters also set fire to the traffic police post in Sultanabad.
The United States and Israel said an airstrike killed Khamenei as part of what they described as the most ambitious series of strikes against Iran in decades. Iranian state media confirmed the death of the 86-year-old leader on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said the airstrikes against Iranian targets were aimed at ending a decades-old threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon, as he sought to justify a risky move that appeared to run counter to his professed opposition to US involvement in complex conflicts abroad.
On Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in response to the initial attacks, targeting US troops in the region and cities in Israel and Washington’s allied Arab countries, prompting widespread flight cancellations across the region.
