Pakistan imposes curfew after deadly Iran protests

Pakistan imposes curfew after deadly Iran protests

Pakistan has introduced a three-day curfew in the northern regions of Gilgit and Skardu following violent demonstrations sparked by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest, which began after a US-Israeli attack killed the leader, led to the deployment of military forces to quell the chaos in the predominantly Shiite area of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Clashes broke out violently in multiple cities, with reports of at least 25 fatalities and over 80 injuries nationwide. In Skardu, thousands of Shiite protesters targeted UN offices, destroying the facility of the UN Military Observer Group that oversees the ceasefire in Kashmir. In Gilgit, demonstrators set fire to a police station and damaged a school, according to official statements.

“The safety and security of UN personnel and premises throughout the region remain our top priority, and we continue to closely monitor the situation,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Monday.

Protests also spread to Karachi, where crowds attacked the US consulate, shattering windows and attempting to ignite the building. At least ten people lost their lives, and more than 50 were injured during confrontations with police. In Islamabad, a single fatality was reported in border skirmishes, while Parachinar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Peshawar saw large gatherings without reported violence.

The recent unrest coincided with heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The violence escalated on Thursday when Afghanistan retaliated against Pakistani airstrikes from the prior weekend. Meanwhile, security measures around US diplomatic sites have been intensified, with roads closed near the consulate in Karachi and similar precautions implemented in Lahore and Islamabad.

As the world’s second-largest Shiite community after Iran, Pakistan’s northern regions host a majority Shiite population. The protests underscore the strong emotional response among the community to the leader’s assassination, prompting authorities to take swift action to restore order.