KARACHI: At least nine people died on Sunday after protesters clashed with law enforcement personnel near the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road, according to the executive director of Civil Hospital Karachi’s (CHK) trauma centre.

CHK’s Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon told Dawn that nine men had died and 32 were injured in the wake of protests near the consulate.

According to a list of casualties he shared with Dawn, the injuries and wounds to all resulted from “gunshots”.

The protests follow the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

According to a statement by Edhi, law enforcement personnel resorted to teargas shelling and baton-charge to control the situation.

Speaking to Dawn earlier, Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said six bodies were brought to CHK.

Dr Syed stated that two injured policemen were among those brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment.

The two policemen were injured by “hard and blunt instruments”, while “two protesters with firearm injuries” were also brought to JPMC, the surgeon told Dawn.

In its statement, the US Embassy in Islamabad said: “We are monitoring reports of ongoing demonstrations at the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore, as well as calls for additional demonstrations at US Embassy Islamabad and Consulate General Peshawar.

“We advise US citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP (Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme) registration is up to date.”

Sindh govt express grief, forms JIT

In an official statement, shared by the information minister’s spokesperson Husain Mansoor, the Sindh government expressed “deep grief” over the loss of lives in the clash.

“The protesters entered after breaching the security cordon of the US Consulate and committed vandalism,” the statement said.

However, the government put the number of deaths at six, adding that “several” were injured.

It formed a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) to “impartially review all aspects of the incident”. The JIT will “assess the circumstances under which the incident occurred and what its causes were”.

The JIT will also determine “who was responsible” for the incident.

While the government affirmed the public’s constitutional right to protest, it stressed that “maintaining a peaceful environment was everyone’s shared responsibility”.

“Any kind of vandalism, violence or taking the law into your own hands is inappropriate,” it noted.

The government requested citizens to “express their emotions only in peaceful and legal ways”.

Citizens are urged to express their feelings only in peaceful and legal ways.

“The government wants to keep the situation under control,” the statement said, adding that while citizens had the right to peacefully protest, no one should take the law into their hands.

Home minister seeks details

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought immediate details about the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, a statement from his office said.

“No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands,” Lanjar was quoted as saying. He ordered that the security of sensitive installations be made more effective.

The minister further directed that alternative routes be determined to maintain the flow of traffic and that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) remain fully alert and monitor the situation closely.

“Action will be taken in accordance with the law against elements disturbing law and order,” Lanjar warned.

Keamari Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amjad Ahmed Shaikh gathered police contingents to strengthen security at sensitive locations.

In an update issued at around 11am, Karachi Traffic Police said both sides of the road from Sultanabad Traffic Section towards Mai Kolachi were closed for traffic due to a protest.

Providing alternative routes, it said traffic from Jinnah Bridge was being sent towards I.I. Chundrigar Road, vehicles coming from Boat Basin were being U-turned from Mai Kolachi Phatak and sent back, and those coming from PIDC were being sent back from Park Cut.

The traffic police urged the public to call Traffic Helpline 1915 for alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. “Traffic police are present and managing the flow of traffic,” it added.

Section 144 imposed in Islamabad

Meanwhile, gatherings of all kinds were banned in Islamabad under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

According to the district administration, all kinds of gatherings and assemblies would be considered unlawful under Section 144. It urged residents not to take part in any such gathering.

“Strict legal action will be taken in the case of any protest, demonstration or gathering,” the administration warned.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.