KARACHI: At least nine people were killed and several others injured in clashes between protesters and police outside the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday, according to police and hospital officials.
Large groups of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Consulate to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and the killing of the Iranian supreme leader.
The protests turned violent when demonstrators attempted to force their way into the consulate, leading to intense clashes with police and paramilitary forces. The protesters set the outer wall of the building on fire.
According to the authorities at Civil Hospital, eight dead bodies have been brought to the trauma center, and 24 injured individuals have also been admitted. These people were injured in firing, baton charges, and physical scuffles with the police outside the US consulate.
According to Karachi police officials, the protesters resorted to throwing stones at the consulate building, prompting police and Rangers to respond with tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation.
Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi, Azad Khan, visited the scene of the unrest at the consulate to monitor the situation and coordinate law enforcement efforts.
Rescue authorities earlier reported that several individuals sustained injuries during the confrontations near the consulate, with six of the injured in critical condition. Emergency services were deployed promptly to provide medical assistance and transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
Traffic authorities confirmed that major roads from Sultanabad to Mai Kolachi have been temporarily closed due to the protests, resulting in significant traffic disruptions across Karachi.
Vehicles approaching from Jinnah Bridge are being diverted toward I.I. Chundrigar Road, while traffic coming from Boat Basin is being redirected to make a U-turn at Mai Kolachi Phatak. Similarly, vehicles approaching from the PIDC area are being turned back at Park Cut to avoid the protest zone.
A similar demonstration took place outside the Lahore Press Club, where protesters attempted to target the U.S. Consulate. Although the demonstrators engaged in vandalism, police forces successfully prevented them from reaching the consulate premises, maintaining relative order in the area.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media released the final message of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei following the U.S. and Israeli attacks, which has been widely shared across social media platforms.
Due to the ongoing regional conflict, over 150 flights from Pakistan to Middle Eastern destinations have been canceled, affecting thousands of passengers.
The Pakistan government has instructed heightened security measures at Karachi Airport and its surrounding areas, advising travelers to arrive earlier than scheduled.
Pakistani citizens residing in Iran have been urged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to limit their movement, remain vigilant, and exercise extreme caution amid the volatile situation.
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