At least nine people were killed as security forces clashed with pro-Iran protests at the United States consulate in the Pakistan's Karachi on Sunday, reported AFP.
"We have moved at least eight dead bodies to Karachi's civil hospitals, while 20 others were injured in the consulate incident," said Muhammad Amin, a spokesman for the Edhi Foundation rescue service, adding most had bullet wounds.
Summaiya Syed Tariq, a police surgeon at the city's main government hospital, confirmed that initially six bodies and multiple injured people were brought to the facility. However, she said the death toll rose to nine after three critically wounded died.
Hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters had tried to storm the consulate following the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei --revered by Shia Muslims accross the globe-- in joint attacks by the US and Israel on Saturday.
A crowd of young people climbed over the main gate and gained access to the driveway of the consular building, smashing some windows.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters who dispersed, the AFP journalist saw.
Videos on social media showed youngsters smashing the windows of the main building of the consulate as the American flag could be seen flying over the compound, whose perimeter is topped with barbed wire.
"We need to remain united. No power can stop us," a young protester could be heard saying.
"We are setting the American consulate in Karachi on fire. God willing, we are avenging the killing of our leader," another protester said as he filmed others trying to start a blaze.
Thousands of people are also taking to the streets in the eastern city of Lahore and in northern Skardu, with a demonstration expected in the afternoon near the diplomatic enclave housing the US embassy in Islamabad.
(With inputs from Associated Press, AFP)