The celebration of Independence Day in Karachi, Pakistan, took a tragic turn when three individuals, including a senior citizen and an 8-year-old girl, lost their lives due to “reckless” aerial firing in the city.
In addition, more than 60 individuals suffered gunshot wounds during various events throughout the city. As reported by the Pakistani news outlet Geo News, the young girl was struck by a stray bullet in Azizabad, while a man named Stephen was killed in Korangi.
Rescue officials informed the Pakistani news outlet that numerous injuries were reported as a result of celebratory gunfire across the city. Authorities promptly issued a statement denouncing this practice, labeling it as reckless and dangerous. They urged the public to celebrate Independence Day in safer manners.
In response to these incidents, the Karachi police have launched an investigation and have assured that stringent measures will be taken against those responsible for aerial firing. Gun violence remains a prevalent issue in Pakistan. According to Ary News, at least 42 individuals, including five women, were killed in shooting incidents across Karachi in January.
Furthermore, 233 individuals, including five women, sustained injuries in these occurrences. Five people were killed while attempting to thwart robbery attempts during the firing incidents reported in various areas of the city.
Local authorities attribute these occurrences to multiple factors, such as disputes, personal grudges, and resistance to robbery attempts, as reported by Ary News. Road accidents, resistance to robbery, and aerial firing have also contributed to an increase in fatalities in Karachi earlier in January.
According to a report by the Chipa Foundation, 528 individuals, including children and the elderly, were injured in road accidents, resulting in 36 fatalities. Additionally, incidents of resistance to robbery led to three deaths and fifteen injuries in the city.
