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 trauma centre.
CHK’s Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon told Dawn that nine men had died and more than 20 were injured in the wake of protests near the consulate.
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, Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said six bodies were brought to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK).
Dr Syed stated that two injured policemen and as many wounded protesters were 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.
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.
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.
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.
