Investigators probing the deadly violence outside the United States Consulate Karachi have been told that a US Marine opened fire in retaliation after armed protesters breached the compound during the March 1 unrest.
A six-member Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) recorded statements from senior police officers who described how hundreds of protesters broke through security barriers and entered the consulate premises.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, about 300 protesters separated from a larger crowd of around 3,000 people gathered at Numaish and moved toward the US diplomatic mission on motorbikes without permission from protest organisers.
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Police told the JIT that some protesters were armed and managed to breach the inner security layer, reaching the consulate complex where they vandalised property and smashed windows.
Marine reportedly fired after armed protesters opened fire
During the JIT proceedings, police officials said some armed protesters started firing inside the consulate compound, prompting a US Marine stationed at the mission to open fire in retaliation.
Video footage presented to the investigators reportedly shows unidentified individuals carrying weapons and firing shots inside the diplomatic facility.
Earlier, unnamed US officials also told Reuters that US Marines fired at demonstrators during the incident, but it remained unclear whether the Marines’ shots caused any deaths.
Sindh police fired 30 aerial shots
Police officials told the JIT that personnel from the Sindh Police Foreign Security Cell deployed outside the consulate fired 30 aerial shots to deter protesters and stop them from entering the diplomatic mission.
The violent protest resulted in 12 deaths and 49 injuries, including seven police officers who sustained bullet wounds during clashes.
Investigators were also informed that two police weapons were allegedly snatched by miscreants during the chaos.
Security lapses acknowledged
Senior police officers admitted during the JIT proceedings that law enforcement failed to effectively stop protesters from breaching Gate No. 4 and Gate No. 5 of the consulate.
At the time of the protest, 37 police officers were deployed for security outside the mission, along with around 450 private security guards working in three shifts.
Investigation begins into unrest outside US Consulate Karachi
Following the violence, authorities significantly increased security and more than 1,000 police personnel are now deployed at the consulate.
JIT probe underway
The Sindh Home Department formed the six-member JIT to determine the facts behind the March 1 incident.
According to the notification, the team has been tasked to:
- Determine the circumstances of the protest violence
- Identify security lapses or command failures
- Examine the role of police and external actors
- Recommend preventive measures for the future
However, the JIT’s terms of reference do not specifically mention fixing responsibility for the killings.
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Police have separately registered terrorism, murder and attempted murder cases against 150–200 unidentified protesters.
Background of Karachi Unrest
The protest erupted after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in reported US-Israel coordinated strikes in Tehran, an event that triggered demonstrations in several parts of Pakistan.
Authorities are now investigating how protesters were able to reach the heavily guarded diplomatic mission and whether security protocols were properly followed.
