KARACHI: Three children were among seven injured by “stray bullets” last night on the eve of Eidul Fitr, police said on Saturday.
According to the Karachi Police Media Cell (KPMC), which issued separate statements for each incident, the victims included three children, three men and a woman.
Four of the injured were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), two to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), and one to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK).
An eight-year-old boy was “injured from [a] stray bullet near Dawood Chowrangi” and taken to JPMC for medical treatment, said the police.
A nine-year-old girl was “injured by [a] stray bullet at Janjal Goth near Imran Bakery” and taken to ASH.
At Lyari’s Shah Baig Lane, police said a stray bullet injured a 13-year-old boy, who was then taken to CHK.
Another incident from a stray bullet occurred at Shah Latif Daud Chali near Radio Pakistan Ground, wounding an 18-year-old.
In similar incidents, a 29-year-old was injured in Islamia Colony, while a 32-year-old suffered a bullet injury in New Mianwali Colony. Both were referred to ASH, added police.
A woman, 32, was injured by a stray bullet near Budh Bazaar and taken to ASH.
Further investigation of the incidents was underway, Karachi police stated.
Incidents of aerial firing, which lead to stray bullet injuries are a routine occurrence on celebratory occasions, especially Independence Day and New Year’s Eve.
Earlier this year, at least 28 people were injured in aerial shooting during New Year celebrations across Karachi.
Such incidents are also common at weddings, with six injured in Karachi’s Cattle Colony in January.
