Karachi's Docks Police Station has registered three separate cases following violent protests, unrest and arson outside the United States Consulate in the city, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
According to the channel, the FIRs include serious charges such as murder, attempted murder, terrorism, rioting, firing and arson.
As per the text of the FIR, miscreants set fire to a traffic police post during the protest. The blaze destroyed two SMGs, three 9mm pistols, a vehicle and several bulletproof jackets. During the unrest, an armoured vehicle was also set ablaze.
The FIR states that between 150 and 200 people affiliated with a religious party participated in the protest. Some of the agitated demonstrators allegedly entered the consulate premises.
Protesters are accused of vandalising property and attempting to set additional assets on fire. The complaint further alleges that some individuals within the crowd opened fire during the chaos.
To bring the situation under control, additional police personnel were called to the scene as the unrest escalated.
According to police officials, the inspector general of Sindh had on the previous day removed five officers from their posts, including the SSP Keamari, amid concerns over the handling of the incident. Senior officials are also facing an inquiry over alleged negligence and lapses in duty.
The developments in Karachi come a day after police in Islamabad registered a case against 48 individuals for staging protests in the Red Zone during demonstrations against US and Israeli strikes in Iran.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the FIR in Islamabad was lodged at the Secretariat Police Station on behalf of the state and included serious charges under anti-terrorism provisions, as well as sections relating to arson, vandalism and attempted murder. The FIR was reportedly sealed.
The unrest followed the rapid circulation of reports regarding the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which triggered protests in parts of the country, particularly in Islamabad, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Reporter: Usama Malik