Ten people die in clashes outside the US consulate in Karachi; Army called in Skardu after 11 deaths
KARACHI:
At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes across the country, including 10 outside the US consulate in Karachi and 11 people in the northern city of Skardu, where crowds set fire to a UN office, while two were killed in the capital Islamabad.
The protests erupted following confirmation of the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli attack the other day. The protests were called by several organizations.
In Karachi, protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate, where Reuters reporters heard gunshots and saw tear gas in the surrounding streets. Protesters also set fire to a vehicle in front of the main gate and clashed with police.
Protesters gathered after several organizations announced demonstrations against the attacks on Iran, attempting to force their way through the consulate’s main gate, vandalizing property and setting fire to a traffic police post, along with several motorcycles.
Police responded with tear gas and gunfire as stone-pelting intensified and reinforcements were called in from across the city. Police surgeon Dr Sameeya Tariq confirmed in a statement that 10 people were killed and 96 injured in the violence.
Eight bodies were taken to hospital, while two others died during treatment, he said. Five police officers and three other people were injured in the protests, while an emergency was imposed in all hospitals.
According to the medico-legal report (MLR), a police statement, four of those injured outside the US consulate were injured by stone throwing or hitting with batons, while 26 injured suffered gunshot wounds.
The violence continued intermittently into the night. The riots caused severe traffic disruptions across the city as the Sindh Rangers deployed mobile surveillance teams and warned that vandalism and violent protests would lead to strict legal action.
UN office set on fire
In Skardu, located in Gilgit-Baltistan, the UN building was set on fire. “A large number of protesters gathered in front of the UN office and burned the building,” local government spokesman Shabbir Mir told Reuters.
“At least seven people were killed in today’s clashes in Gilgit,” said Zaheer Shah, a rescue official. However, a Reuters report said two government officials put the death toll at 11, speaking on condition of anonymity. The army was later deployed to control the situation.
Protesters also took to the streets in other parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. In Lahore, police said hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate. Small-scale clashes broke out as police fired tear gas to control the crowd.
In the capital, Islamabad, thousands of protesters, carrying black flags and chanting “Down with America!” and anti-Israel slogans, gathered at Aabpara Chowk and attempted to march towards the US embassy despite the heavy police deployment and the containers placed to seal the Red Zone.
The protesters threw stones at the police, entered the restricted area and reached the gate of the Diplomatic Enclave. Police responded with tear gas and aerial firing, using armored vehicles to push protesters back to Aabpara Chowk.
Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that two people were killed and nearly 10 others were injured. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen claimed that three people were killed in the clashes, but the police denied the claim.
All roads leading to the Red Zone were blocked to traffic, police said. Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who visited the Red Zone, urged protesters to remain peaceful. “We are with you,” he said, adding that all Pakistanis were as heartbroken as the people of Iran.
Another demonstration was held in front of the Peshawar Press Club, organized by Majlis-e-Islamiya Pakistan. A large number of protesters, including women and children, carried signs and banners in support of Iran and chanted slogans against Israel and the United States.
Following the violent protests, the Punjab government and the Islamabad administration imposed Section 144, which bans public gatherings, rallies and demonstrations amid heightened security concerns. Authorities said the restrictions were a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
(AGENCIES WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS)
