At least 35 people were killed, and scores more were injured, on Sunday after hundreds of Shiite protesters attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi amid violent demonstrations sparked by confirmation that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Pakistani authorities and local media reported.
Protesters chanting anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans surged toward the consulate’s perimeter, overwhelming parts of the security cordon and clashing with Pakistani police and Marine Embassy Guards assigned to protect the diplomatic mission. Security forces responded with tear gas and live rounds, killing and wounding demonstrators. Those who survived were taken to Karachi’s Civil Hospital for treatment.
Authorities in Sindh province confirmed that bodies were brought to local medical facilities as well. The death toll could rise as more critically injured demonstrators remained hospitalized in critical condition.
The unrest follows confirmed reports that Khamenei and much of Iran’s leadership died Saturday after approximately 30 bombs struck his office compound — a development that sparked outrage among Iran-aligned groups and some Shiite communities across the region.
Violence was not confined to Karachi. Demonstrations also took place in other parts of Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan, where, according to local authorities, clashes between protesters and security forces led to additional fatalities, contributing to dozens of deaths nationwide amid unrest linked to Khamenei’s death.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and other diplomatic missions across Pakistan temporarily suspended consular services and urged U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings as security forces stepped up patrols around key diplomatic facilities.
Pakistani officials have not yet released a full death toll or an official breakdown of casualties as investigations continue.
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But it ok for all the citizens to be put down for protesting.