Islamabad, 01 March (H.S.): Fury over reports of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in Sunday morning's US-Israel joint strikes on Iran ignited massive protests across Pakistan, culminating in deadly violence outside the American Consulate in Karachi where nine were killed and 18 injured by security gunfire .

Thousands rallied at the consulate, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, breaching barricades, hurling stones, and setting parts of the perimeter ablaze. US security personnel opened fire amid the melee after protesters vandalized symbols and pushed forward, prompting Edhi Ambulance to rush six bodies and 10 wounded to Civil Hospital initially, with totals rising to nine dead and up to 20 injured from bullets, lathicharge, and stampedes.

Civil Hospital Trauma Center head Dr. Sabir Memon confirmed eight bodies and 20 treated, with one more succumbing later; Geo TV cited hospital officials verifying the toll from the afternoon clashes.

Official Response and US Alert

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar demanded a report from Additional IG Karachi and ordered heightened security at sensitive sites province-wide, vowing no tolerance for lawlessness. The US Embassy in Islamabad urged citizens to stay vigilant via social media, monitoring protests at consulates in Karachi and Lahore, embassy in Islamabad, and Peshawar consulate, advising avoidance of crowds and local news checks .

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar