Violent protests erupted across Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leaving at least 11 dead in Skardu alone. Demonstrators targeted UN offices and clashed with security forces, prompting authorities to impose curfews and request army deployment to contain unrest.
Security personnel opened fire on protesters in Skardu after mobs vandalised and torched the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office. Widespread property damage was reported in Gilgit and Skardu, including government buildings, a school, the office of the Superintendent of Police, and the Agha Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) office.
Ghulam Hasan, a PoGB administration official, issued a notification announcing a three-day curfew from March 2 to 4 and requested military assistance to stabilise the situation. The curfew allows exceptions only for funeral prayers and burials on humanitarian grounds, with attendance restricted to local residents.
Inspector General of Police Gilgit-Baltistan, Akbar Nasir, confirmed that army troops, police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order in the affected districts.
The unrest spread beyond Gilgit-Baltistan, with violent demonstrations outside the US Consulate General in Karachi and Lahore. Calls for protests were also made at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Peshawar. At least 10 protesters were killed outside the US Consulate in Karachi, and two more in Islamabad, according to The Express Tribune. Social media footage showed demonstrators smashing windows, setting fire to doors, and attacking consulate guard posts, prompting a forceful response from security forces.
Authorities warned residents to avoid handling debris or unidentified objects amid ongoing violence. The US Embassy issued safety guidance, urging American citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and follow personal security protocols.
The protests have left a total of 23 people dead across Pakistan and underscored the escalating instability in Gilgit-Baltistan and major urban centres. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as curfews and military deployments remain in effect to prevent further casualties and property damage.
