In an official statement, the embassy confirmed it was monitoring reports of demonstrations at the US Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi, as well as calls for additional gatherings near the US Embassy Islamabad and the US Consulate General Peshawar.
The blast was heard from the embassy compound in western Oslo at around 1 a.m. (0000 GMT), and smoke was seen rising from the area, eyewitnesses said.
“There was a very thick layer of smoke on the street,” said Sebastian Toerstad, 18, a high school student who drove past the embassy at the time of the incident.
“There was some damage to the entrance,” Toerstad told Reuters. Oslo police said the blast had occurred at the entry to the consular section.
Two police technicians wearing white overalls were later seen working at the site. No further explosive devices had been found in the area, police said.
“Investigations have been carried out at the scene with the aid of dogs, drones and a helicopter, searching for one or more potential perpetrators,” the Oslo police department said in a statement.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US Embassy Islamabad announced this in a statement on its X account, as security remains high around diplomatic enclaves and consulates to prevent any untoward situation.
The development comes after at least 10 people were killed and several others injured on Sunday in violent clashes that erupted between protesters and law enforcement personnel outside the US Consulate in Karachi, hours after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack.
The confrontation began when demonstrators attempted to enter the consulate premises, prompting security forces to respond, according to Rescue 1122 Sindh.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said peaceful protest is everyone’s right but vandalism under the guise of protest will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Naqvi had said this in a statement during his visit to various areas of Islamabad to review the law and order situation. During his visit to the Red Zone, Diplomatic Enclave, and other key locations, the interior minister had inspected security arrangements and issued directives to ensure foolproof security within the Diplomatic Enclave.
He had emphasised that security arrangements must be comprehensive and complete in every respect, noting that the law will take its course against those who disrupt daily life.
A day ago, the US Embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert amid ongoing demonstrations at consulates in different cities, while also cancelling appointments for US visas and American Citizen Services for Monday.
In an official statement, the embassy confirmed it was monitoring reports of demonstrations at the US Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi, as well as calls for additional gatherings near the US Embassy Islamabad and the US Consulate General Peshawar.
“We advise US citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news, observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP registration is up to date,” the embassy stated.