25 Wounded as Aerial Firing Mars New Year Celebrations in Karachi

KARACHI: Celebratory aerial firing during New Year’s Eve festivities injured at least 25 people across Karachi, prompting swift police action and the arrest of 56 suspects from various parts of the city.

Rescue officials said several people were wounded in Korangi, Golimar, Five Star, New Sabzi Mandi and other neighbourhoods after gunshots were fired shortly after midnight to welcome 2026. Among the injured were six women and two children.

In a separate incident in Chanesar Goth, a man sustained bullet injuries after being struck by a shot fired from an unknown direction, police said.

Karachi police launched a crackdown against those involved in aerial firing, with arrests made across multiple districts. District Central police detained 19 suspects, while arrests were also reported in District City, Malir, East, Korangi, West and Keamari.

Earlier, police had warned of strict action against celebratory gunfire. Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police Jawed Odho said aerial firing cases would be treated as attempted murder, adding that Safe City cameras would be used to identify offenders.

Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon also urged citizens to refrain from aerial firing, stunts and reckless behaviour, stressing that such actions pose serious risks to public safety.