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Pakistan 'Day of Love' protests erupt in violence, leaving at least a dozen dead

Pakistani police charge at demonstrators during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Peshawar on Sept. 21. At least 13 people died and nearly 200 were wounded in Pakistan during violent protests condemning a US-made film insulting Islam, defying a government call for only peaceful demonstrations, officials said.
Pakistani police charge at demonstrators during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Peshawar on Sept. 21. At least 13 people died and nearly 200 were wounded in Pakistan during violent protests condemning a US-made film insulting Islam, defying a government call for only peaceful demonstrations, officials said.A. Majeed / AFP - Getty Images
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A general view shows policemen facing protesters during a protest against the anti-Islam movie entitled 'Innocence of Muslims' made in the US, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.
A general view shows policemen facing protesters during a protest against the anti-Islam movie entitled 'Innocence of Muslims' made in the US, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.Bilawal Arbab / EPA

A Pakistani Muslim demonstrator carries material inside a burning cinema during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Peshawar on Sept. 21.
A Pakistani Muslim demonstrator carries material inside a burning cinema during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Peshawar on Sept. 21.A. Majeed / AFP - Getty Images

Smoke rises from a building which was set on fire by a mob during a protest against the anti-Islam movie entitled 'Innocence of Muslims' made in the US, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.
Smoke rises from a building which was set on fire by a mob during a protest against the anti-Islam movie entitled 'Innocence of Muslims' made in the US, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.Rehan Khan / EPA


NBC News staff and wire reports -- ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Protests by tens of thousands of Pakistanis infuriated by an anti-Islam film descended into deadly violence on Friday, with police firing tear gas and live ammunition in an attempt to subdue rioters who hurled rocks and set fire to buildings in some cities.

NBC News reported that 12 people died in Karachi with another three deaths in Peshawar during the protests. More than 100 people were injured.

Friday had been declared a national holiday by Pakistan's government so people could rally against the video.

There were also protests in at least half a dozen other countries, with American flags and effigies of President Barack Obama burned.

Continue reading .

A Pakistani riot police officer reacts to tear gas fired by other officers during clashes with protestors after they tried to approach the U.S. embassy, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 21. Pakistani police opened fire on rioters who were torching a cinema during a protest against an anti-Islam film Friday, and security forces clashed with demonstrators in several other cities in Pakistan on a holiday declared by the government so people could rally against the video. Thousands of people protested in several other countries, some of them burning American flags and effigies of President Barack Obama.
A Pakistani riot police officer reacts to tear gas fired by other officers during clashes with protestors after they tried to approach the U.S. embassy, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 21. Pakistani police opened fire on rioters who were torching a cinema during a protest against an anti-Islam film Friday, and security forces clashed with demonstrators in several other cities in Pakistan on a holiday declared by the government so people could rally against the video. Thousands of people protested in several other countries, some of them burning American flags and effigies of President Barack Obama.Muhammed Muheisen / AP

A protester carries a representation of a U.S. flag as police vehicles burn in Karachi, Pakistan on Sept 21.
A protester carries a representation of a U.S. flag as police vehicles burn in Karachi, Pakistan on Sept 21.Fareed Khan / AP

A wounded Pakistani protester is helped by others during clashes with riot police that erupted as protestors tried to approach the U.S. embassy, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.
A wounded Pakistani protester is helped by others during clashes with riot police that erupted as protestors tried to approach the U.S. embassy, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.Muhammed Muheisen / AP

Pakistani Muslim demonstrators topple a freight container, placed by police to block a street during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Lahore on Sept. 21. At least 13 people died and nearly 200 were wounded in Pakistan during violent protests on Friday condemning a US-made film insulting Islam, defying a government call for only peaceful demonstrations, officials said.
Pakistani Muslim demonstrators topple a freight container, placed by police to block a street during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Lahore on Sept. 21. At least 13 people died and nearly 200 were wounded in Pakistan during violent protests on Friday condemning a US-made film insulting Islam, defying a government call for only peaceful demonstrations, officials said.Arif Ali / AFP - Getty Images

Protests ignited by a controversial film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad spread throughout Muslim world.
Protests ignited by a controversial film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad spread throughout Muslim world.


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