Celebratory gunfire during Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations has left at least 86 people injured across Karachi, according to emergency responders.
According to Edhi rescue service, those wounded in the midnight celebrations on Friday included 10 women, 17 children, and 59 men, reports Dawn.
The casualties were transported to various medical facilities across the metropolis, with Jinnah Hospital admitting 35 patients, comprising four women, three children, and 28 men.
Meanwhile, Civil Hospital received 26 victims, including four women, 10 children, and 12 men, whilst Abbasi Shaheed Hospital treated 24 people, consisting of one woman, four children, and 19 men. An additional female patient was shifted to a private hospital for treatment.
The celebratory firing occurred across multiple neighbourhoods, with incidents reported in Defence, Jamshed Quarters, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Gulbahar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Azizabad, Malir, Korangi, Saddar, and Lyari.
In response to aerial firing, law enforcement in Karachi’s East district initiated a targeted crackdown, apprehending 10 suspects and recovering several weapons used during the celebrations.
The arrests were carried out within the jurisdictions of Sharea Faisal, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sachal, Gulistan-i-Johar, and Site Super Highway police stations.
Additionally, police officers in West district arrested three other suspects for discharging firearms.
Such dangerous celebratory gunfire remains a routine occurrence in Karachi during events like New Year’s Eve and Independence Day, continuing despite official prohibitions.
During the previous year’s Independence Day celebrations, celebratory gunfire claimed three lives, including a minor girl, and injured more than 100 others across the metropolis.
