10 dead in clashes in front of the American consulate in Karachi; army called to Skardu after 11 dead
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 town of Skardu, where crowds set fire to a UN office, while two were killed in the capital Islamabad.
The protests erupted after the confirmation of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike the other day. The protests were called by various organizations.
In Karachi, demonstrators chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” in front of the consulate, where Reuters journalists heard gunshots and saw tear gas being fired into the surrounding streets. Protesters also set fire to a vehicle outside the main gate and clashed with police.
The protesters gathered after various organizations announced demonstrations against the attacks on Iran, attempting to force the main gate of the consulate, vandalizing property and setting fire to a traffic police station, as well as several motorcycles.
Police responded with tear gas and gunfire as stone-throwing intensified and reinforcements were called from across the city. Police surgeon Dr Sameeya Tariq confirmed in a statement that 10 people were killed and 96 injured in the violence.
She said eight bodies were taken to hospital, while two others died during treatment. five police officers and three other people were injured during the protests, while an emergency was imposed in all hospitals.
According to the Forensic Report (MLR), four of the people injured outside the US consulate were injured by stone throwing or baton blows, while 26 people were injured by gunshots, according to a police statement.
The violence continued intermittently until the evening. The unrest caused serious traffic disruptions across the city, with Sindh Rangers deploying mobile vigilance teams and warning that vandalism and violent protests would lead to strict legal action.
UN office burned
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 set the building on fire,” 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 gave the figure of 11 deaths, on condition of anonymity. The army was then 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 occurred as police fired tear gas to control the crowds.
In the capital Islamabad, thousands of demonstrators brandished black flags and chanted “Down with America!” and anti-Israeli slogans, gathered at Aabpara Chowk and attempted to march towards the US embassy despite heavy police deployment and containers placed to seal off 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 fire, using armored vehicles to push protesters back toward Aabpara Chowk.
Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that two people had died and nearly 10 others were injured. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen claimed that three people died in the clashes, but police denied the claim.
All roads leading to the red zone were blocked to traffic, police said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who visited the red zone, urged protesters to remain peaceful. “We stand with you,” he said, adding that all Pakistanis were as grieved as the Iranian people.
Another protest took place in front of the Peshawar Press Club, organized by Majlis-e-Islamiya Pakistan. Large numbers of demonstrators, including women and children, held banners and signs in support of Iran and chanted slogans against Israel and the United States.
Following violent protests, the Punjab government and Islamabad administration imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings, rallies and demonstrations amid heightened security concerns. Officials said the restrictions were a precautionary measure to maintain public order.
(AGENCIES WITH CONTRIBUTION FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS)
