Police Recover Weapons After Stray Bullets Injure Civilians, Emphasize Zero Tolerance
At least 25 people, including women and children, were injured in Karachi during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations after being struck by stray bullets fired into the air, rescue officials reported on Wednesday.
Police launched a citywide crackdown on aerial firing, arresting 59 people and recovering weapons from their possession.
Victims of Stray Bullet Fire Across the City
The injured were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, and Civil Hospital, as gunfire erupted in multiple neighbourhoods throughout the night.
Notable victims included:
- 36-year-old Mukhtiar near Chhanesar Goth
- 33-year-old Nabeel near Haji Mureed Goth, Golemar
- 40-year-old Naik Muhammad near Meezan Bank, New Sabzi Mandi
- 11-year-old Meh Jabeen near Area Market, Korangi
- 7-year-old Fareeha near Safora Chowrangi
- 65-year-old Haji Zaheer near Johar Mor
- 71-year-old Salamat Gul near Shalimar Bakery, Manzoor Colony
- Women injured near Qayyumabad and Sikandar Goth in Gulzar-e-Hijri
Other victims included teenagers and adults in North Nazimabad, Lyari, Landhi, Garden, Tariq Road, and Korangi, reflecting the widespread danger caused by indiscriminate aerial firing.
Police Crackdown and Arrests
The Karachi Police conducted a citywide operation to curb aerial firing:
- District Central: 19 suspects arrested
- District East: 17 arrested
- District City: 7 arrested
- Malir: 6 arrested
- District West: 3 arrested
- Korangi: 2 arrested
- District South: 3 arrested
- Keamari: 2 arrested
Police recovered illegal firearms, bullets, and spent shells from multiple suspects, including Muhammad Suleman (Khawaja Ajmer Nagri), Wali Muhammad (Gulshan-e-Maymar), and Salman (Muzaffarabad Colony).
SSP District Central Zeeshan Siddiqui warned that aerial firing is a serious crime that endangers innocent lives and announced a zero-tolerance policy against such acts.