KARACHI, Jan 11: Police used teargas and batons here on Sunday to disperse protesters rallying against Israel’s military attacks on Gaza and killing of civilians.

Responding to protest calls given by religious leaders, thousands of people marched peacefully in the city.

But the protest briefly turned violent when several hundred protesters deviated from the planned route and started heading toward the US consulate. When police tried to stop them, they were pelted with stones.

Some protesters even started fistfights with officers, prompting police to fire teargas shells and baton-charge the crowd.

Over a dozen people, including two police officers, were injured.

Peaceful protest rallies were held in Islamabad, Lahore and other cities and towns of the country.