Karachi: At least 30 people were injured by stray bullets fired during the New Year celebration in Pakistan's Karachi. According to Pakistani news outlet Geo News, 65 people were arrested across the metropolis as the sounds of the gunshots echoed through the skies of the Pakistani city when the clock struck midnight. While the authorities noted that women and children were among those who received bullet wounds, they mentioned that injured victims were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

According to Geo News, the incident took place a day after the Karachi police chief warned the residents would be charged with attempted murder for aerial firing during the festivities. The incidents were reported in  North Nazimabad, Liaquatabad C-I Area, Rizvia Society, Hussainabad, Bahadurabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Keamari, Native Jetty Bridge, Lyari, Ranchorr Line, Clifton Baldia Town, North Karachi, Sea View, Korangi, Dalmia, Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13-D, Lines Area, Mehmoodabad, PIB Colony, and Malir. “A total of 12 pistols, 01 rifle, fireworks, 32 spent shells and 30 rounds were recovered from the possession of the arrested accused. District Central arrested 9 suspects involved in aerial firing last year and recovered 8 pistols and 1 rifle,” the Karachi police wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter In a separate post, the authorities also shared videos of people committing the crime. 

A serious matter

This is not the first time the country has struggled with the issue of aerial firing. On August 14, at least two people lost their lives while 80 got wounded because of the firing in various areas of Karachi during the  Independence Day celebrations this year. Following the incident, the authorities imposed a ban on the carrying and display of weapons throughout the city. The authorities made it clear that if anyone is engaged in these crimes, he or she shall be arrested immediately. Among those injured in the Sunday incident, includes a seven-year-old child who was injured in the aerial firing in Bahadurabad.