Stray bullet kills widow's son inside their house

KARACHI:

Stray bullets continue to claim lives of unsuspecting citizens in the metropolis as police have failed to ensure ban on aerial firing. In the latest incident, a nine-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his home in Moosa Colony, Gulberg, on Friday night.

According to PS Gulberg SHO Zahid Lodhi, the tragedy occurred at a house located near Dargah Sultani Mazar, close to Surti Factory. The bullet pierced the main door of the house, passed through a room door, and struck the child in the shoulder, killing him on the spot.

The victim was identified as Mehtab, son of Atta Hussain. He was sleeping with his mother, three brothers, and a sister when the incident took place. He was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Relatives said the child's father had passed away, and the family, which hails from Thatta, relies on the mother's labour work for support. The boy will be laid to rest in his ancestral hometown.

Following the incident, Gulberg police arrested the suspected shooter, Arif Shah, an employee of the Mohtasib's office, along with an accomplice. The weapon used in the firing was also recovered. A nearby shop owner was arrested for aiding the suspects and providing information that led to Shah's capture.

Police revealed that the gunfire originated from the Karachi Bachao Office, across Gujjar nullah, under the jurisdiction of Haidari Market police station.