KARACHI: At least one woman was killed and 85 other people, including women and children, were injured in incidents of indiscriminate aerial firing in different areas of Karachi during Independence Day celebrations on the night between Aug 13 and 14.
The reckless practice of celebratory firing, which has become a persistent menace in Pakistan on occasions such as New Year’s Eve and Independence Day, once again marred festivities in the metropolis, leaving dozens wounded by bullets fired from unknown directions.
According to rescue and police officials, the injured were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment.
Police said firing incidents were reported from Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarter and Defence, among other localities.
Law enforcement agencies have arrested several persons on charges of aerial firing. In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, a security guard involved in aerial firing was arrested along with weapons, police said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Paposh Nagar, a woman died after being shot inside a hotel.
According to police, the woman was accidentally shot when a pistol being placed on the hotel table went off and the bullet hit her. Police said the woman’s cousin, accused Imran, has been arrested and further investigation is underway.
Police officials said cases have been registered and further action will be taken against those involved in aerial firing.
