Security personnel stand guard outside the US consulate in Karachi on March 1, 2026.PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
The committee formed to probe the incident in which 11 people were killed and more than 30 injured in firing during vandalism and unrest at a protest outside the US Consulate has formally begun its investigation.
According to sources, the inquiry committee summoned the relevant police officers, who appeared before it and briefed the members about the incident. Special video footage of the unrest outside the consulate was also presented to the committee, which is currently reviewing it. The committee is expected to summon additional police officers for further questioning.
It may be recalled that religious organisations held a protest on March 1 outside the US Consulate in Karachi against the martyrdom of the Iranian Supreme Leader. During the protest, vandalism and violent clashes broke out, and firing occurred, resulting in 11 deaths and more than 30 injuries.
Following directives from the Sindh government, a committee headed by Additional Inspector General (AIG) of CTD Zulfiqar Larrak has started a formal investigation into the incident. Sources said that AIG Zulfiqar Larrak had summoned all relevant police officials.
The officers who appeared before the committee included DIG South Asad Raza, DIG East Farrukh Lanjar, SSP Amjad Sheikh, SSP South Mehzoor Ali, SSP City Arif Aziz, and SSP East Zubair Nazir Sheikh.
According to sources, DIG South Asad Raza and DIG East Farrukh Lanjar were questioned in phases. SSP East Zubair Nazir Sheikh was the first officer called in, while SSP Amjad Sheikh gave a detailed briefing about the incident to the committee.
CCTV footage shows that protesters approached the consulate from the Mai Kolachi Sultanabad checkpoint. At the time, four police vehicles and four motorcycles with police personnel were present, while around 15 police officers and personnel were stationed at the consulate gate.
The number of protesters exceeded 400, and due to the aggressive behaviour of the crowd, police began moving forward. Protesters started pelting stones at the police as well as on the consulate.
A large number of protesters reached the consulate gate and threw the tear gas shells fired by the police into the consulate premises and back to the police.
The protest gradually became increasingly violent as the crowd size continued to grow.
The inquiry committee will summon additional police officers as part of the investigation. The committee has been directed to submit its complete report to the Sindh Interior Minister within seven days.
In addition to AIG CTD Zulfiqar Larrak, the committee includes DIG CTD Azfar Mahesar, DIG Special Branch, SSP Adil Chandio, SSP Shabbir Sethar, and AIG Operations Kashif Abbasi.
