10 die in clashes outside US consulate in Karachi; army called out 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 mobs torched a UN office, while two were killed in the capital, Islamabad.
The protests broke out after the confirmation of the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint American-Israeli attack the other day. The protests were called by various organizations.
In Karachi, protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate, where Reuters reporters heard gunshots and saw tear gas being fired in the surrounding streets. The protesters also set fire to a vehicle outside the main gate and clashed with the police.
Demonstrators gathered after various organizations announced demonstrations against the attacks on Iran, who tried to force their way through the consulate’s main gate, vandalized property and set fire to a traffic police post along with several motorcycles.
Police responded with tear gas and gunfire as the stone-throwing 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 were injured in the violence,
She said eight bodies were brought to the hospital while two others died during treatment. five police officers and three other people were injured in protests, while a state of emergency was imposed in all hospitals.
According to the medico-legal report (MLR), a police statement said, four of those injured outside the US consulate were injured due to stone pelting or baton attack, while 26 injured persons had gunshot wounds.
The violence continued intermittently into the evening. The unrest caused severe traffic disruption across the city as Sindh Rangers deployed mobile patrols and warned that vandalism and violent protests would invite 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 outside the UN office and burned down the building, said local government spokesman Shabbir Mir to Reuters.
“At least seven people were killed in today’s clashes in Gilgit,” said Zaheer Shah, a rescue worker. However, a Reuters report said two government officials gave 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 gathered outside the US consulate. Minor clashes occurred 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 in Aabpara Chowk and attempted to march towards the US Embassy despite heavy police deployment and containers placed to seal the red zone.
Protesters threw stones at the police, entered the cordoned off area and reached the entrance of the diplomatic enclave. Police responded with tear gas and aerial firing, using armored vehicles to push the protesters back to Aabpara Chowk.
Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that two people died and nearly 10 others were injured. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen claimed that three people died in the clashes, but the police denied the claim.
All roads leading to the red zone were closed to traffic, the police said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who visited the red zone, urged protesters to remain peaceful. “We stand with you,” he said, adding that every Pakistani was as saddened as the people of Iran.
Another demonstration was held in front of Peshawar Press Club, organized by Majlis-e-Islamiya Pakistan. A large number of protesters, including women and children, carried banners and placards in support of Iran and shouted slogans against Israel and the United States.
Following the violent protests, the Punjab government and the Islamabad administration imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings, rallies and demonstrations due to heightened security concerns. Officials said the restrictions were a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
(AGENCIES WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS)
