ISLAMABAD, March 1 (Xinhua) -- At least three protesters were killed and 56 others, including law enforcers, were injured in clashes with police during an anti-U.S. demonstration in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Sunday, police sources said.
Around 4,000 protesters attempted to march towards the heavily guarded diplomatic enclave, which houses the U.S. embassy, prompting police to open fire to disperse the crowd, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The protesters said that they protested in front of the embassy to express their anger against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.
Following the shelling, protesters dispersed to nearby areas, and the injured were shifted to hospitals for treatment. Police also detained several demonstrators.
According to the sources, the situation is currently under control, with police restoring order while army personnel have been deployed at the entry points of the diplomatic enclave to maintain security.
"However, the protest is not completely over, and demonstrators remain in nearby areas and could regroup in an attempt to approach the embassy again," the sources added.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration has issued a notification banning protests in the city, warning that violators will face legal action. ■