Karachi aerial firing injures dozens on Independence Day eve; police detain suspects

KARACHI: At least two people were killed and 94 others injured in celebratory firing incidents in Karachi on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, officials said on Friday. Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said 17 people were brought to Civil Hospital, 24 were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and 53 were brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. She added that one male from PIB Colony and an infant died in aerial firing incidents. The doctor said another woman was also brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound, who later died. However, police said that the incident was caused due to the accidental firing of a gun. Earlier Edhi said that 86 people had been injured in aerial firing incidents, including 10 women, 17 children and 59 men. Firing incidents were reported in Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence, it said. Meanwhile, police in Karachi’s East district launched a crackdown against aerial firing on Independence Day and took 10 suspects into custody from various areas. In a statement, police said weapons used for aerial firing were also recovered from the arrested suspects. The arrests were made within the jurisdictions of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Sachal, Gulistan-i-Johar and Site Super Highway police stations, police said. According to police in Karachi’s West district, three suspects had been arrested for aerial firing on Independence Day. Incidents of aerial firing are a routine occurrence on occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve despite bans imposed in the past, often leaving dozens injured. Last year, three people, including a minor girl, were killed and over 100 others wounded in celebratory gunfire across the metropolis at midnight on Independence Day.

KARACHI: At least two people were killed and 92 others injured in celebratory firing incidents in Karachi on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, officials said on Friday. Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said 17 people were brought to Civil Hospital, 24 were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and 53 were brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. She added that one male from PIB Colony and an infant died due to their injuries. The doctor said another woman was also brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound, with police saying that the incident was caused due to accidental firing of a gun. Earlier Edhi said that 86 people had been injured in aerial firing incidents, including 10 women, 17 children and 59 men. Firing incidents were reported in Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence, it said. Meanwhile, police in Karachi’s East district launched a crackdown against aerial firing on Independence Day and took 10 suspects into custody from various areas. In a statement, police said weapons used for aerial firing were also recovered from the arrested suspects. The arrests were made within the jurisdictions of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Sachal, Gulistan-i-Johar and Site Super Highway police stations, police said. According to police in Karachi’s West district, three suspects had been arrested for aerial firing on Independence Day. Incidents of aerial firing are a routine occurrence on occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve despite bans imposed in the past, often leaving dozens injured. Last year, three people, including a minor girl, were killed and over 100 others wounded in celebratory gunfire across the metropolis at midnight on Independence Day.

At least 85–86 people were injured in incidents of celebratory aerial firing across Karachi on the night of August 13, as people marked the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, according to rescue officials.The Edhi Foundation reported around 86 people injured, including 59 men, 17 children and 10 women. However, some media reports put the overall number of injured at around 93.The incidents were reported across several parts of the city as residents took to the streets to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day.Hospitals Receive Dozens of Gunshot VictimsSeveral major hospitals in Karachi treated people injured by stray bullets and aerial firing. Karachi’s #IndependenceDay “celebrations” turn Deadly86 people injured in aerial firing, including 17 children & 10 womenIncidents across Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Orangi, North Nazimabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal & Defence#14August #جشن_آزادی_مبارک #MuhtemelAşk pic.twitter.com/Uivvx8sPIw— Your Views Your News (@urviewsurnews) August 14, 2026 According to figures cited by the Edhi Foundation, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received 24 injured people, including one woman, four children and 19 men.Jinnah Hospital treated 35 patients, comprising four women, three children and 28 men, while Civil Hospital received 26 patients, including four women, 10 children and 12 men.One additional woman was reportedly taken to a private hospital for treatment.Woman Reportedly Dies After Stray Bullet HitA woman was also reportedly killed after being struck by a stray bullet in the Sarafa Bazaar area of Paposh Nagar, according to local media reports.She was reportedly taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in critical condition but later died.The incident highlights the dangers posed by aerial firing, in which bullets fired into the air can travel considerable distances before falling and striking people on the ground.Firing Reported Across KarachiReports of celebratory gunfire emerged from several areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence.The firing reportedly continued despite repeated warnings from authorities against the use of firearms during Independence Day celebrations.Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: According to local reports, militants carried out quadcopter drone attacks at three locations in Tehsil Banda Dawood Shah:• Gargari Police Station• Khurram Police Station• Bahadur Khel CheckpostThree personnel - Malik Ayaz, Bilal, and Amir… pic.twitter.com/EgmiYUoEKa— SILENT BRIEF (@SilentBriefHQ1) August 14, 2026 Police Launch Crackdown, Make ArrestsKarachi police launched a crackdown against people allegedly involved in aerial firing and arrested several suspects.Reports said 10 people were arrested in the East district, while other accounts put the total number of arrests across Karachi at around 30–31.Police also reportedly recovered weapons believed to have been used in the firing.Authorities have repeatedly warned residents that aerial firing is prohibited because bullets fired into the air can cause serious injuries or death when they fall back to the ground.Annual Independence Day Safety ConcernDespite longstanding bans and repeated police warnings, celebratory aerial firing remains a recurring problem in Karachi during major celebrations, particularly on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve.Video: Abrar Ahmed Ties Knot In Karachi, Pakistan Spinner's Friends Celebrate Occasion By Doing Bhangra The latest incidents have once again raised concerns over public safety, particularly for people who are not involved in the celebrations but can become victims of stray bullets.The casualty figures also underline the risks associated with celebratory gunfire, with children and women among those injured.Authorities have continued to urge residents to celebrate without using firearms and have warned that those caught engaging in aerial firing could face arrest and legal action.

KARACHI: At least 86 people have been injured in celebratory firing incidents in Karachi on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, rescue officials said on Friday. According to Edhi, the injured include 10 women, 17 children and 59 men. In a statement, the rescue service said 24 people, including one woman, four children and 19 men, were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. It added that 35 people, including four women, three children and 28 men, were brought to Jinnah Hospital; and 26 people, including 10 children, four women and 12 men, were taken to Civil Hospital. The statement added that one woman was shifted to a private hospital. Firing incidents were reported in Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence, it said. Meanwhile, police in Karachi’s East district launched a crackdown against aerial firing on Independence Day and took 10 suspects into custody from various areas. In a statement, police said weapons used for aerial firing were also recovered from the arrested suspects. The arrests were made within the jurisdictions of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Sachal, Gulistan-i-Johar and Site Super Highway police stations, police said. According to police in Karachi’s West district, three suspects had been arrested for aerial firing on Independence Day. Incidents of aerial firing are a routine occurrence on occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve despite bans imposed in the past, often leaving dozens injured. Last year, three people, including a minor girl, were killed and over 100 others wounded in celebratory gunfire across the metropolis at midnight on Independence Day.