At least 20 people were killed and over 100 injured in anti-US protests across Pakistan on March 1 following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Pakistani police sources cited by Xinhua News Agency.
In the capital, Islamabad, three demonstrators died in clashes with police as around 4,000 protesters marched toward the diplomatic enclave housing the US Embassy. Police opened fire to disperse the crowd, detaining several individuals. Authorities have since reinforced security at embassy entrances, and the Islamabad city government issued a notification banning protests, warning violators would face legal action.
Earlier in the day, 10 people were killed during protests outside the US Consulate in Karachi, Sindh Province, when demonstrators attempted to storm the consulate building. Law enforcement used tear gas and batons to control the situation. Witnesses reported protesters chanting anti-US slogans and breaching the outer security layer before being pushed back.
In the Gilgit-Baltistan region, seven people died when security forces opened fire after protesters set fire to a United Nations office and attempted to attack military installations. Reports indicate demonstrators also targeted a school and police facilities in the area.
The protests erupted in response to joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and several senior Iranian military and political officials.
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