Pakistan protest: 10 killed at US consulate

By Goli Innocent

At least 10 people have been killed and more than 70 others injured after pro-Iran protesters clashed with security forces near the United States consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The protest erupted early Sunday after news spread of Khamenei’s assassination in joint US-Israeli strikes. Hundreds of demonstrators reportedly attempted to storm the US consulate located along Mai Kolachi Road, prompting security forces to open fire to disperse the crowd.

According to reports by Al Jazeera, AFP and AP, several people were shot as chaos unfolded outside the diplomatic facility. Verified footage showed wounded protesters being carried away by bystanders as smoke billowed near the scene.

Violence also spread to other parts of Pakistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan, at least seven people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded, AFP quoted rescue official Zaheer Shah as saying.

In Islamabad, police blocked all roads leading to the Red Zone, which houses diplomatic missions including the US embassy and parliament, and fired tear gas when protesters tried to march towards the enclave.

In the northern city of Skardu, protesters set fire to a United Nations office building. “A large number of protesters have gathered outside the UN office in GB and burned down the building,” local government spokesperson Shabbir Mir told Reuters, adding that no casualties were reported there.

Elsewhere in Lahore, hundreds gathered outside the US consulate, though no major violence was recorded. “Some of the protesters tried to damage the security gate, hundreds of yards away from the consulate. However, police stopped them without using force,” witness Aqeel Raza told Reuters.

Demonstrations over Khamenei’s killing were also reported in Iraq and Indian-administered Kashmir.

In Baghdad, protesters attempted to approach the US embassy in the Green Zone, while Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, urged unity as authorities declared a three-day mourning period for the slain Iranian leader.