Pakistan Deploys Army, Imposes Curfew After 24 Killed in Violent Pro-Iran Protests

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani authorities deployed troops and imposed a three-day curfew in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu on March 2, 2026, after violent protests triggered by the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei left at least 24 people dead and scores injured across the country .

The unrest, which erupted on Sunday following the US-Israeli strikes on Tehran that killed the 86-year-old cleric, saw thousands of Shia demonstrators storm diplomatic missions, attack United Nations facilities, and clash with security forces in multiple cities. The violence has forced the United States to suspend consular services and prompted an emergency security crackdown as Pakistan grapples with its deadliest protests in years .

Karachi: Deadly Assault on US Consulate

The worst violence occurred in the southern port city of Karachi, where hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters attempted to storm the United States Consulate, breaching the compound’s outer wall and smashing windows before police intervened . Security guards at the consulate opened fire as demonstrators pushed through the perimeter, leading to chaotic scenes that left 10 people dead and more than 50 wounded, according to the office of the Karachi police surgeon .

An AFP journalist at the scene witnessed protesters climbing over the main gate and gaining access to the consulate driveway, where they set a vehicle ablaze outside the main entrance . Police responded with batons, tear gas shelling, and aerial firing to disperse the crowd, with video footage showing plumes of smoke rising from burning vehicles and emergency workers transporting wounded individuals on stretchers .

Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, a local government spokesman, confirmed that consulate security staff fired on the crowd after they breached the outer security layer. “We are in constant touch with consulate officials. They are all safe,” he told reporters . Karachi’s Civil Hospital reported that all those killed and injured sustained gunshot wounds .

Gilgit-Baltistan: UN Offices Torched, Curfew Imposed

In the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, home to Pakistan’s largest Shia population, the protests took an even more destructive turn. Demonstrators stormed and set ablaze the offices of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Skardu city, causing black smoke to rise from the buildings as nearby vehicles were completely burned .

At least 12 people were killed and 80 others injured in clashes across the region, according to police in Gilgit-Baltistan . Protesters also burned a police station, damaged a school, and attacked the offices of a local charity in Gilgit city .

The government of Gilgit-Baltistan responded by imposing a three-day curfew in Gilgit and Skardu, effective March 2-4, and requesting the deployment of Pakistan Army troops under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist civil authorities . An official notification from the Home and Prisons Department cited the “precarious” security situation and fears it could further deteriorate, particularly in the two districts .

Shabbir Mir, a government spokesperson, said Monday that the situation was under control and all UN personnel were safe, with additional troops deployed to restore order . Police Chief Akbar Nasir Khan urged residents to stay indoors, citing “deteriorating law and order conditions” .

Authorities outlined limited relaxation periods to prevent shortages of food and medical supplies, with curfew from midnight to noon and relaxation from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All educational institutions across Gilgit-Baltistan have been closed indefinitely, and foreign tourists in the mountainous region have been relocated to secure accommodations under police supervision .

Islamabad and Lahore: Protests Quelled

In the capital Islamabad, around 4,000 people gathered near the diplomatic enclave housing the US embassy, holding portraits of the slain Iranian leader and chanting “Death to America! Death to Israel!” . Police deployed tear gas and fired live rounds when protesters attempted to march toward the embassy, killing two people and injuring nearly 10, officials said on condition of anonymity . All roads leading to the Red Zone, which houses diplomatic missions, were blocked to traffic .

In Lahore, hundreds gathered outside the US Consulate, with some small-scale clashes reported as police fired tear gas to disperse crowds . Protesters carried black flags and anti-American placards while mourning Khamenei’s death .

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged protesters to remain peaceful, stating that every Pakistani was as grief-stricken as the people of Iran while warning against lawlessness .

Death Toll and Casualties

Casualty figures varied across reports as authorities worked to compile accurate counts. The Associated Press reported at least 22 dead—10 in Karachi, 11 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and one in Islamabad . BSS News Agency, citing AFP, reported 17 deaths including 10 in Karachi and seven in Gilgit . CGTN placed the toll at 23, with 10 in Karachi, 11 in Skardu, and two in Islamabad . Qazinform News Agency reported 22 killed and more than 120 injured . India Today, citing local sources, reported a significantly higher toll of 35 dead—16 in Karachi, seven in Gilgit, six in Skardu, and six in Islamabad .

The discrepancies reflect the chaotic nature of the violence and ongoing reporting from hospitals and officials across multiple cities.

Government Response and Security Measures

The federal and provincial governments moved swiftly to contain the unrest. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Langar formed a joint investigation team to determine responsibility for the Karachi violence, emphasizing that protesters had breached security cordons, prompting police action, and dismissing claims that US Marines caused the deaths .

Authorities have beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the consulate in Peshawar, to avoid further violence . The US Embassy and its consulates in Karachi and Lahore canceled all visa appointments and American Citizen Services for Monday, citing security concerns .

The embassy advised American citizens to avoid large gatherings, maintain heightened personal security awareness, carry identification, and monitor local media for updates .

The Punjab provincial government declared an emergency across hospitals in the province to handle casualties linked to protest-related violence .

Economic Fallout: Stock Market Plunges

The political turmoil sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s financial markets. The Pakistan Stock Exchange plunged on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index falling nearly 10 percent amid rising geopolitical tensions following the attacks on Iran . Investors sold off shares across sectors, with analysts citing heightened uncertainty as the main driver behind the sharp decline.

Political and Religious Context

Pakistan is home to the world’s second-largest Shia community after Iran, with estimates ranging from 20 to 30 million people, representing approximately 15-20 percent of the population . Many protesters viewed Khamenei as a spiritual leader, and his killing triggered profound grief and anger within the community.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who maintains close ties with both the United States and Iran, issued a statement Sunday evening calling the killing of Khamenei a “violation” of international law . “It is an age old convention that the Heads of State/Government should not be targeted,” Sharif wrote on X. The “people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom” of Khamenei .

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed “profound sorrow over the martyrdom” and extended condolences, stating that Pakistan “stands with the Iranian nation in this moment of grief and shares in their loss” .

Shia community leaders have called for more protests in Lahore and Karachi despite the nationwide government ban on congregations and public gatherings, raising the prospect of continued unrest in the coming days .

International Reaction

The United Nations confirmed that its facilities in Skardu were attacked and vandalized. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday that protesters became violent near the UNMOGIP Field Station. “The safety and security of UN personnel and premises throughout the region remain our top priority, and we continue to closely monitor the situation,” he said .

The US Embassy in Islamabad posted on X that it was monitoring demonstrations near US diplomatic missions and advised American citizens to observe good personal security practices .

As Pakistan enters a third day of unrest, authorities face the delicate challenge of balancing security measures with allowing legitimate expressions of grief. The three-day curfew in Gilgit and Skardu, combined with troop deployments, aims to prevent further bloodshed, but community leaders’ calls for additional protests suggest the crisis is far from over.

For the families of the 24 or more killed, the immediate focus is on mourning and burial. Funeral processions for those killed in Gilgit-Baltistan, Karachi, and Islamabad were announced for Monday . For the wider region, the death of Iran’s supreme leader has ignited a conflagration whose consequences are being felt from the streets of Karachi to the mountain valleys of the north.

As one Karachi resident told reporters: “People were martyred, there were riots. Roads are blocked for the second day in Karachi, people are distressed” .

With inputs from:

Reuters: Military called Gilgit after 26 dead Iran protests​
Aawsat: 25 killed Pakistan pro-Iran protests​
Al Jazeera: Karachi consulate protests Khamenei death​
Wikipedia: 2026 Karachi consulate attack 23 killed​
AP: Pakistan troops curfew deadly protests

For broader context, see our in-depth analysis on Modern World Order Explained: Power, Alliances & Global Systems.

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