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U.S. Confirms Marines Fired During Karachi Consulate Breach as Pakistan Files Terror Cases

Officials have launched inquiries to establish who fired the deadly shots, including whether any Marine rounds caused casualties.

Overview

  • Two U.S. officials confirmed Marines discharged their weapons when protesters breached the U.S. Consulate’s outer wall in Karachi, but said it remains unknown if their fire hit anyone.
  • Sindh Police registered three FIRs citing murder, attempted murder, terrorism and rioting over the Karachi unrest, while several officers were suspended for alleged negligence and Section 144 restrictions were extended.
  • Local authorities reported at least 10 deaths in Karachi on Sunday, later rising to 11, with conflicting accounts over whether gunfire also came from police or private security.
  • Video cited by Reuters shows a protester firing toward the compound and return fire from inside, complicating attribution as a provincial spokesman referred broadly to “security” personnel opening fire.
  • The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Lahore and Karachi canceled all visa appointments through March 6 and issued security alerts as fresh demonstrations flared, including outside the Lahore consulate under heavy police deployment.