Iran Fallout: Marine Guards Open Fire, US Cancels Visa Services In Pakistan As Protests Rage

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 11:27 IST

Security forces reportedly killed 17 Shia protesters in Skardu and Gilgit, while 12 people were shot dead during protests in Islamabad

Pakistan imposed sweeping security restrictions across the country on Sunday after violent protests linked to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei left at least 44 people dead and more than 137 injured, according to accumulated figures from officials and local reports.

Amid fears of wider sectarian unrest and possible civil strife, authorities deployed military troops in Skardu and Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan, where some of the deadliest clashes were reported. A curfew was imposed in parts of the region as security forces sought to regain control.

Nationwide Clampdown

Provincial governments in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa invoked Section 144, imposing a complete ban on protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies and the public display of arms for one month starting March 1.

In the capital, the Islamabad administration sealed all entry and exit points to the Red Zone and Diplomatic Enclave after demonstrators attempted to march toward sensitive government and foreign missions.

Security forces reportedly killed 17 Shia protesters in Skardu and Gilgit, while 12 people were shot dead during protests in Islamabad. Four more fatalities were reported in Peshawar. In Karachi, US Marine guards opened fire after protesters stormed the US Consulate, killing 11 people, officials said.

Shia demonstrators also targeted US diplomatic facilities in Karachi and Lahore and staged rallies near UN missions in Gilgit-Baltistan. Hospitals in Islamabad, Skardu and Karachi confirmed that at least 18 critically injured protesters were being treated in intensive care units.

Sectarian Anger and Diplomatic Fallout

The unrest erupted following outrage over the killing of Khamenei, sparking protests in multiple cities that quickly escalated into violent confrontations with security forces. Infrastructure damage has been reported from Karachi in the south to Gilgit-Baltistan in the north.

The security situation prompted the United States to suspend consular operations in Pakistan. All visa appointments and American Citizen Services were cancelled on March 2 at the US Embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Karachi and Lahore.

Analysts warn that the scale of the violence, spanning multiple provinces and targeting diplomatic sites, underscores the fragility of Pakistan’s internal security environment at a time of heightened regional tensions.

Authorities say the restrictions will remain in force until the law and order situation stabilises, as fears grow that further escalation could deepen sectarian divides and trigger prolonged instability.

News world Iran Fallout: Marine Guards Open Fire, US Cancels Visa Services In Pakistan As Protests Rage

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