Nine Dead in Protests Near US Consulate in Karachi

In Karachi, at least nine people lost their lives during clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel near the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road on Sunday evening, according to the executive director of Civil Hospital Karachi’s trauma center.

Civil Hospital Karachi’s Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon informed Dawn that nine men had died and more than twenty were injured in a series of protests following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during Saturday’s joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

Edhi, who is responsible for law enforcement, stated that authorities used teargas shelling and baton charges to manage the situation. Speaking to Dawn, Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed revealed six bodies had been brought to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK). She also mentioned two injured police officers and a similar number of wounded protesters being admitted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment.

The two policemen were reportedly hit with “hard and blunt instruments,” while the two protesters who sustained firearm injuries were taken to JPMC. Dr Syed’s statement provided these details in Dawn’s report.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought immediate updates on the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, as his office issued a press release. Lanjar warned that no one would be allowed to take law into their own hands and directed that security measures around sensitive installations were strengthened.

Lanjar instructed alternative traffic routes to ensure uninterrupted flow of vehicles and ordered the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to remain vigilant in monitoring the situation closely, with actions being taken against those disturbing public order according to the law.

Traffic police reported that both sides of the road from Sultanabad Traffic Section towards Mai Kolachi Road were closed for traffic due to protests. They provided alternative routes such as diverting vehicles coming from Jinnah Bridge to I.I. Chundrigar Road, rerouting boats from Boat Basin to I.I. Chundrigar Road, and sending pedestrians away from PIDC back through Park Cut.

The Karachi Traffic Police reassured the public by stating that they were present and managing traffic flow through calls for alternative routes via a helpline at 1915, urging citizens to avoid inconvenience during such developments.

This evolving news scenario continues as authorities work tirelessly to ensure accurate information is conveyed. Initial reports may contain inaccuracies; reliable sources, including competent authorities and our staff reporters, will be relied upon for up-to-date updates.