At least eight people died and more than 30 sustained injuries after U.S. military personnel reportedly opened fire on protesters outside the American Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
The violence erupted on Sunday as demonstrators attempted to storm the compound following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes.
Pakistani media reported that protesters attacked the consulate with sticks and stones, breaking barricades and setting parts of the building on fire. Security forces inside the compound responded with gunfire, leading to multiple casualties.
Large crowds gathered along MT Khan Road and the surrounding areas, with many linked to Shia organisations. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as tear gas filled the streets and ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.
Authorities imposed road closures around the diplomatic mission to prevent further escalation. The incident marks one of the most violent protests in Karachi in recent years, underscoring the regional fallout from Khamenei’s death and the strikes on Iran.
Officials have yet to release a formal statement on the number of casualties, but local reports confirm at least eight deaths and dozens injured. The situation remains tense, with security forces maintaining a heavy presence around the consulate.
