At least nine people were killed and more than 30 others wounded when violent clashes broke out between pro-Iranian protesters and security forces outside the United States Consulate in Karachi on Sunday. The protests, which turned aggressive, were triggered by outrage over US and Israeli strikes on Iran following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Shia groups held marches from Sultanabad toward Mai Kolachi, chanting slogans denouncing Washington and Tel Aviv. The demonstrations escalated near Karachi’s diplomatic areas, prompting authorities to close key roads, including MT Khan Road, to manage the crowds.
Police deployed tear gas after protesters allegedly threw stones and attempted to breach barricades, leading to a tense standoff outside the US Consulate.
US Marine security personnel at the consulate were placed on high alert as demonstrators neared restricted areas. Local media reported that military forces opened fire on the crowd, resulting in at least nine deaths and over 30 injuries, though these numbers have not been independently confirmed by Pakistani or US authorities. Earlier reports from rescue teams had confirmed at least five injuries when tensions first erupted.
The unrest in Karachi is a part of the wider regional reaction to the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes on Iran. Security officials described the situation as tense late Sunday, with efforts ongoing to reestablish control around the consulate.
Meanwhile, several thousand Shia Muslims took to the streets in Kashmir on Sunday to protest the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, joining demonstrations in Srinagar’s main square with red, black and yellow flags to express their anger and grief over the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel that led to his death, with many chanting slogans against Washington and Tel Aviv.
Protests against Khamenei’s killing was also erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, when people took to streets and raised slogans against Israel and US. Speaking to ANI, a protestor said, “They (US) kept deceiving with talks and threatened about war, but our leader did not get afraid and did not bow. A thousand Khameneis will rise and this war will continue. Trump cannot win easily.”
