Number of injured in Karachi celebratory firing rises to 95

At least two people, including a woman, were killed and 95 others were injured in separate incidents of aerial firing during Independence Day celebrations in Karachi, according to police and rescue officials.

In one incident, a man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet near Masha Allah Hotel in the Old Sabzi Mandi area on University Road.

The incident occurred late Thursday night in the jurisdiction of PIB Colony Police Station. A 42-year-old man, identified as Mehrab, son of Muhammad Khan, was sitting at a hotel with friends and having tea when aerial firing began as part of Independence Day celebrations.

A stray bullet struck Mehrab in the chest, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately taken to a private hospital on Stadium Road, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Police said the victim’s body was handed over to his brother after completion of legal formalities. A case, numbered 26/245 under Sections 34 and 322, was registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Muhammad Ghulam. Further investigation is underway.

In another incident late at night, 25-year-old Shayan, son of Zulfiqar, was injured after being struck by a bullet fired from an unknown direction near Federal B Area Block 7, within the jurisdiction of Jauharabad Police Station. He was taken to Civil Hospital for treatment.

According to Jauharabad police, Shayan was injured by a stray bullet during aerial firing carried out during Independence Day celebrations.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Ali Ahmed, son of Muhammad Hashim, was injured after being hit by a bullet near the Sea View area within the jurisdiction of Darakhshan Police Station. He was also shifted to Civil Hospital.

Police said Ali Ahmed was injured by a stray bullet fired during aerial firing.

In another incident, 18-year-old Abdul Jabbar, son of Muhammad Shah, was injured after being struck by a bullet inside a house near Rind Goth in the Sachal area. He was taken to Civil Hospital. Sachal police, however, said they were unaware of the incident.

Meanwhile, Karachi police claimed to have arrested 41 suspects allegedly involved in aerial firing during Independence Day celebrations and recovered weapons from their possession.

In the Eastern District, police operations in the SITE Super Highway, Sachal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal areas resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects.

In the Western District, Orangi Town police arrested seven suspects allegedly involved in aerial firing.

Central District police arrested 16 suspects, while police in Korangi District arrested eight others in connection with aerial firing incidents.

Police said further action is being taken against those arrested.