Sindh Interior Minister calls for report, orders beefed-up security; says no one is allowed to take justice into their own hands
Clashes broke out between police and protesters on MAJ Khan Road in Karachi as demonstrators marched towards the US consulate to protest 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 crowds marched towards the US consulate following the assassination of Iranian 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 disturbance. They were transferred to the trauma center of the civil hospital.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Langar sought immediate details from Additional IG Karachi, stressing that “No one will be allowed to take law into their own hands.”
He called for increased security at sensitive facilities. He added that alternative routes should be determined to maintain traffic flow during the protests.
“Law enforcement is fully alert and monitoring the situation closely,” added the minister.
The minister concluded that action will be taken against those who disrupt public order in accordance with the law.
Shiite organizations had announced a march to the US consulate in Karachi to protest the death of the Ayatollah and expressed their intention to march to the mission.
Edhi Information confirmed that several injured people were transferred to the civil hospital after reports of shooting. A large contingent of police remained deployed on MT Khan Road.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, while protesters responded with stone throwing, according to reports.
The rally started from the town of Abbas, on the Abul Hasan Isphahani road. Organizers and a large number of workers from Shia organizations also started gathering at Numaish Chowrangi.
Participants, including organizers and supporters of Shiite groups, were seen heading toward the US consulate as the rally continued.
Read: New strikes against Iran after US, Israeli attack killing Supreme Leader Khamenei
Traffic police said roads leading to Numaish Chowrangi had been closed and alternative routes were being offered to motorists.
Angry protesters also set fire to the traffic police station in Sultanabad.
The United States and Israel said an airstrike killed Khamenei in what they described as the most ambitious series of attacks on Iran in decades. Iranian state media confirmed the death of the 86-year-old leader on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the airstrikes against Iranian targets were aimed at ending a decades-long Iranian threat and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon, as he sought to justify a risky move that appeared to run counter to his stated opposition to U.S. involvement in complex conflicts abroad.
On Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in response to the initial attacks, targeting U.S. troops in the region and cities in Israel and Arab countries allied with Washington, leading to widespread flight cancellations in the region.
