US Marines opened fire during a protest at the US consulate in Karachi. Two US officials confirmed the rare use of force. The incident happened after demonstrators stormed the compound. Protests erupted following strikes that killed Iran’s leader. The situation has sharply raised tensions across Pakistan.
According to officials, ten people died on Sunday during the unrest. Protesters breached the outer wall of the consulate compound. The protests followed the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. However, US officials said they could not confirm who caused the deaths. They also said investigations were still ongoing.
Officials stated it remains unclear whether Marine gunfire struck anyone. They also did not know if private guards or police fired shots. Security at US missions often involves contractors and local forces. However, Marine involvement shows the consulate viewed the threat as serious. This marked the first confirmation of Marines firing during such unrest.
A provincial spokesman, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, said security personnel opened fire. However, he did not specify which force acted. Meanwhile, a Karachi police official told Reuters that shots came from inside the compound. Social media videos appeared to show armed protesters. Footage also showed injured demonstrators fleeing the scene.
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Protesters gathered outside the consulate chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. Journalists heard gunfire and saw tear gas in nearby streets. Police later blocked roads around the consulate. Authorities increased security across sensitive areas. Similar precautions were taken in Lahore and Islamabad.
Pakistan has the world’s second-largest Shi’ite population after Iran. On Monday, the government banned large public gatherings nationwide. Officials reported 26 deaths linked to unrest across the country. Despite the ban, some Shi’ite leaders called for more protests. They urged demonstrations in major cities including Karachi and Lahore
