Pakistan: US Consulate in Karachi vandalised by locals protesting against the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 8 killed and many injured after US Marines allegedly opened fire

Violent protests erupted outside the US Consulate in Karachi on Sunday, with demonstrators smashing windows in anger over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pakistani police responded with tear gas and baton charges, injuring several people.

The unrest broke out on Sunday morning, just hours after Iran’s state media confirmed that Khamenei was assassinated in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran the previous day (February 28). Khamenei, who became Iran’s highest authority in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had ruled the Islamic Republic for more than three decades.

A large number of Pakistanis gathered at the Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road in Karachi to protest against the incident. Footage shared on social media shows crowds of protesters directly attacking the consulate building, with individuals smashing windows amid chants condemning the US and Israel. The protesters were armed with sticks, and they use them to smash windows and other items in the consulate premises.

The mob also tried to set fire to the consulate building and other properties in the area.

Protestors reportedly shot dead by US Marines

According to claims on social media, US Marines stationed at the consulate in Karachi opened fire on the violent protestors. As per a post X, 8 protestors were killed, and 20 others were injured in the firing.

Local police also moved in to restore order. According to the Edhi Rescue service, police resorted to water canons, tear gas shelling and baton-charging, leaving several protesters injured. Ambulances transported the wounded to Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment.

The US Consulate have been evacuated following the incident, and at present security forces are guarding the premises. Karachi Traffic Police closed both directions of Mai Kolachi Road from the Sultanabad Traffic Section, diverting vehicles via alternative routes including Jinnah Bridge to I.I. Chundrigar Road.

Written by OpIndia Staff
Last modified at