Aerial firing on New Year’s Eve injures 29 in Karachi

KARACHI: At least 29 people were injured including two women during the celebratory aerial firing on New Year’s Eve in Karachi, police said on Wednesday.

Rescue officials said that the injured individuals belonged to Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shah Faisal Colony, and Orangi Town.

In Liaquatabad, three people were injured, while, aerial firing on Tariq Road and Shah Faisal left two women injured.

Two injuries were reported from Orangi Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal, one child from Azizabad, and three from Gulzar-e-Hijri and Korangi No. 6.

Three people in Lyari and Aram Bagh, two people in Agra Taj, Malir Kala Board, Tipu Sultan, Ferozeabad, and Alfalah Dastagir also reported injuries from stray bullets on New Year’s Eve.

The injured were transported to Civil Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.

In response to the aerial firing, police arrested 30 individuals involved in the crime.

Earlier, the Karachi police issued warnings, saying that strict action would be taken against those caught firing in the air and would face charges of attempted murder.

Lahore police also arrested several individuals for violating laws including aerial firing and hooliganism under the guise of New Year celebrations.

The police spokesperson said 15 individuals involved in aerial firing and unruly behaviour were arrested from the Shad Bagh area and weapons were also recovered from their possession.

Similarly, in Shafiqabad and Ichhra, suspects were taken into custody for participating in aerial firing and disruptive activities.