25 injured in celebratory aerial firing on New Year's Eve in Karachi

At least 25 people were injured due to celebratory aerial firing in different parts of Karachi during New Year's celebrations, police said on Wednesday.

The police said that the injured included women and children, adding that swift action was launched, leading to the arrest of 56 people allegedly involved in aerial firing.

Rescue officials said that firing incidents were reported from several areas, including Korangi, Golimar, Five Star and the New Sabzi Mandi, where stray bullets left civilians wounded.

Similar incidents were also reported from other cities of Sindh. In Hyderabad, four people were injured due to aerial firing on New Year’s Eve, while two others sustained injuries in Nawabshah, rescue sources said.

It is worth noting that ahead of the New Year, the Sindh Home Department had issued a notification imposing a ban on aerial firing and the display of weapons in Karachi.

To curb the practice, police had decided to use drone cameras to identify those involved in celebratory firing. Police said drones were deployed in areas including Liaquatabad, Sharifabad, Azizabad, Nazimabad and surrounding localities.

Authorities said that video footage captured through drone surveillance would be used to register cases against those found involved in aerial firing. Police officials added that drone cameras had been provided to more than 16 police stations to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.