Violence Erupts in Karachi Amid Protests

At least nine protesters lost their lives and over 50 were injured in Karachi, Pakistan, as hundreds gathered to target the U.S. consulate on Sunday.

On Saturday, President Trump confirmed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed during a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation referred to as “Operation Epic Fury.” His body was subsequently recovered. Following these reports, violent confrontations occurred between protesters and security forces in the southern port city, as detailed by local authorities, including the Associated Press.

Officials have stated that 25 individuals are still hospitalized, with several in serious condition. Initially, six bodies were brought to the city’s primary government hospital along with numerous injured persons. Tragically, three critically ill patients passed away later, increasing the death toll to nine.

Senior police officer Irfan Baloch noted that the crowd managed to breach the outer perimeter of the consulate before law enforcement intervened. He dismissed claims that part of the facility was ablaze. According to Baloch, the protesters set a nearby police station on fire and broke windows at the consulate before reinforcements arrived to restore order.

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan reported that it is monitoring the protests at its Karachi and Lahore consulates, along with rallies scheduled in Islamabad and Peshawar. They urged American citizens to steer clear of large gatherings and stay alert.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, called for calm, expressing that “all Pakistanis share the sorrow of the Iranian people following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei.” He referred to the day as “a day of mourning for the Muslim ummah and the people of both Iran and Pakistan,” urging people to express their anger in a peaceful manner.

The unrest was not limited to Karachi. In Islamabad, police used tear gas and batons on Shiite marchers heading towards the U.S. embassy. In Peshawar, thousands were seen rushing towards the consulate, with multiple confrontations reported near U.S. facilities in Lahore. However, peaceful demonstrations were noted in Multan, with additional rallies planned in the northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a warning, advising Americans globally to be cautious following the initiation of U.S. combat operations in Iran. The message indicated potential travel disruptions stemming from airspace closures and encouraged citizens to heed safety alerts from their local embassies or consulates.