2 dead, 94 injured in celebratory aerial firing incidents in Karachi on Independence Day eve

On the eve of Pakistan's Independence Day, a tragic incident unfolded in Karachi, leaving at least two people dead and 94 others injured, officials reported on Friday. The victims were brought to various hospitals for treatment, with Dr. Summaiya Syed from the Police Surgeon confirming that 17 individuals were taken to Civil Hospital, 24 to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and 53 to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Among the casualties, one male from PIB Colony and an infant lost their lives.

The police attributed the incident to accidental firing of a gun, emphasizing that it was an unfortunate accident. Prior to this, Edhi had stated that 86 people were injured, including 10 women, 17 children, and 59 men. The aerial firing incidents were reported across multiple districts, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters, and Defence.

In response to the tragedy, police in Karachi’s East district launched a crackdown against aerial firing on Independence Day. They arrested 10 suspects from various areas, seizing weapons used for the aerial firing. Similar arrests were made in Karachi’s West district, with three suspects apprehended for the same offense. Despite bans imposed in the past, aerial firing remains a common occurrence during occasions like Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, often resulting in numerous injuries.

Tragedies similar to this have occurred in the past. Last year, three individuals, including a minor girl, were killed, and over 100 others were wounded in celebratory gunfire across the city at midnight on Independence Day.