KARACHI: Independence Day celebrations turned tragic in Karachi as celebratory aerial firing across the city left one woman dead and 94 people injured, including 17 children, rescue officials said on Friday. The casualties were reported from several parts of the metropolis as residents took part in festivities despite repeated warnings from authorities against firing weapons into the air.
An Edhi Foundation spokesperson said the total number of injured had reached 94, comprising 59 men, 10 women and 17 children. The injured were transported to major hospitals across Karachi, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where doctors and medical staff provided emergency treatment.
Hospital officials said Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received 24 patients during the night, including one woman, four children and 19 men. Jinnah Hospital treated 35 people, among them three children, four women and 28 men. Meanwhile, the trauma centre at Civil Hospital treated 26 patients, including 10 children, four women and 12 men.
The incidents were reported from several areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence. The widespread incidents highlighted the continuing danger posed by celebratory gunfire during national and religious festivities.
Police launched a crackdown against people allegedly involved in aerial firing and arrested more than 30 suspects from different parts of the city. According to police, arrests were made in areas including Hyderi Market, Bilal Colony, Liaquatabad, New Karachi, Taimuria, Azizabad, Joharabad and Gulbahar. Further arrests were reported within the jurisdictions of Khwaja Ajmer Nagri, Samanabad, Rizvia Society and Sir Syed police stations. Police said various weapons were recovered from the suspects.
In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, police arrested a security guard allegedly involved in aerial firing and recovered a weapon from his possession. Two additional suspects were arrested from Orangi Town and Iqbal Market over alleged involvement in aerial firing, according to the SSP West.
In a separate incident in Paposh Nagar’s Sarafa Bazaar, a woman was killed after a pistol allegedly discharged accidentally at a hotel. Police said the weapon had been placed on a table with a round in its chamber and went off while it was being handled. The woman was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
Police arrested a man identified as Imran in connection with the incident and recovered a 9mm pistol from him. According to police, the suspect is the victim’s cousin.
Authorities have repeatedly warned Karachi residents that aerial firing is extremely dangerous because bullets fired into the air can eventually fall back to the ground and cause serious injuries or death. Despite these warnings, celebratory gunfire continues to claim lives and injure innocent people during Independence Day celebrations.
Karachi has witnessed similar casualties in previous years. In 2025, three people were killed and at least 75 others were injured in incidents linked to celebratory firing, while around 95 people were injured in 2024. Officials have urged citizens to celebrate Independence Day responsibly and avoid any activity that could put the lives of others at risk.
