US marines open fire as protesters storm Karachi Consulate; 11 dead, JIT formed

KARACHI: United States Marines opened fire during the storming of the US Consulate in Karachi over the weekend, two American officials confirmed on Monday, marking a rare use of force at a diplomatic mission and escalating tensions amid nationwide protests over the assassination of Iran’s top leader.

On Sunday, at least 11 people were killed when demonstrators breached the outer wall of the consulate compound following the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in strikes on Iran.

Citing preliminary information, the two US officials said it remained unclear whether rounds fired by the Marines struck or killed anyone. They also could not confirm whether other security personnel—including private contractors or local police—had discharged their weapons.

The confirmation marks the first acknowledgment by US officials that Marines were directly involved in firing at protesters during the unrest.

A Sindh government spokesman, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, said only that “security” personnel had opened fire, without specifying their affiliation.

Security operations at US diplomatic missions are typically handled by private contractors and local law enforcement, making the Marines’ involvement a sign of the seriousness with which the threat was perceived.

Reuters reporters at the scene said protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate. Gunfire and tear gas were heard and seen in surrounding streets as clashes intensified. A video circulating on social media appeared to show at least one protester firing a weapon toward the consulate, while bloodied demonstrators fled amid the chaos.

A Karachi police official told Reuters that shots had been fired from inside the consulate premises.

The US Marines referred media queries to the US military, which in turn directed questions to the State Department. The State Department did not respond to requests for comment.

JIT formed; report expected in 15 days

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon announced that a high-powered joint investigation team (JIT) had been constituted to probe the incident, in which 10 people were officially reported dead.

Speaking to Geo News, Memon said a fact-finding report was expected within 15 days, after which authorities would be able to determine “exactly how this happened and whose bullets hit whom.”

He noted that CCTV footage indicated some individuals at the protest site were carrying weapons but said technical assessments would be made by investigators and police present at the scene.

Separately, a notification from the Sindh Inspector General’s office confirmed the formation of a committee headed by Counter Terrorism Department Additional Inspector General Zulfiqar Ali Larik. The committee has been tasked with ascertaining the facts, identifying security lapses, examining the role of police and external elements, and recommending remedial measures.

Political reaction in US

In the United States, Vic Mellor, a Republican candidate for Rhode Island and a US Marine veteran, said on X that “armed rioters tried to storm our US Consulate in Karachi.”

“They breached the perimeter. They set fires. They thought this was 1979. It’s not,” Mellor wrote.

“United States Marines met them at the door—and sent a message the entire world just heard: The days of America not defending itself are OVER,” he added.

He further stated, "We will be known for strength. And anyone who wishes to harm Americans will learn the cost… you don’t touch American soil. Not in Karachi. Not anywhere on earth.”

Nationwide ban on gatherings

Following the unrest, authorities imposed a ban on large gatherings across Punjab, Islamabad and Karachi on Monday as protests over the strikes on Iran spread. At least 26 people have been reported dead nationwide in related demonstrations.

Police registered multiple cases against unidentified protesters, including one against “150-200” individuals for vandalism, firing and arson at the consulate. Additional first information reports (FIRs) were lodged over the burning of a police post near the mission and separate violence on Native Jetty Bridge, where two women sustained bullet injuries.

Despite the ban, religious leaders have called for further protests in Lahore and Karachi.

The United States Embassy in Pakistan is located in Islamabad, with additional consulates in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Roads leading to the Karachi consulate remain blocked, with heavy police deployment in place. Similar security measures have been implemented around US missions in Lahore and Islamabad.