Karachi protests: US Marines fire on protesters who attacked Karachi consulate: report

Two U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters on Monday that U.S. troops opened fire on demonstrators angered by the killing of Iran’s longtime supreme leader and Shiite staunch supporter Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli attack. Protesters storm US consulate PakistanGoing to Karachi for the weekend.The incident marked a rare use of force by a diplomatic mission and could sharply escalate tensions in Pakistan, where protests have spread following the killing of an Iranian leader.On Sunday, at least 10 people were killed when protesters breached the outer wall of the consulate following an attack in Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Pakistan PM comes as US takes action against protesters Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir Considered close to US President Donald Trump.It was unclear whether the bullets fired by the Marines hit or killed anyone, two U.S. officials said, citing preliminary information. They also said they did not know whether others on the protection mission, including private security guards and local police, also fired their weapons.It would be the first time U.S. officials have confirmed Marines were involved in firing on protesters.Provincial government spokesman Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani said “security” personnel opened fire but did not specify which force they belonged to.Security at U.S. diplomatic missions is typically handled by private contractors and local forces, and the involvement of the Marines suggests the consulate considers the threat serious.Pakistan is home to the world’s second-largest Shia population after Iran. On Monday, protests over attacks on Iran spread, with 26 people reported dead across the country and the government banning large gatherings across the country.On Sunday, protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate. Reuters reporters said they heard gunshots and saw tear gas fired in nearby streets.Videos on social media appeared to show at least one protester firing into the consulate, with the wounded demonstrators running away as shots rang out.A Karachi police official told Reuters the shots were fired from inside the consulate compound.The Marine Corps referred questions to the U.S. military, which then referred the inquiry to the State Department. The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment.Shia community leaders have called for more protests in Lahore and Karachi despite a nationwide ban on public gatherings.The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan is located in Islamabad, with consulates in Peshawar and Lahore.Authorities blocked roads leading to the U.S. consulate in Karachi and deployed a heavy police presence in the area. Similar security measures are in place around the U.S. missions in Lahore and Islamabad.

US suspends visa appointments in Pakistan

Meanwhile, the United States has suspended all visa services in Pakistan, citing the “current security situation” in the country.The suspension applies to the US Embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Karachi, according to a statement from the US Embassy.The company said order cancellations will last until Friday, March 6.