Aerial firing injures 25 in Karachi on New Year’s Eve, police arrest 59

At least 25 people, including women and children, were injured in Karachi during New Year’s Eve celebrations after being struck by stray bullets fired into the air, rescue officials said on Wednesday. Police arrested 59 people across the city on charges of aerial firing and recovered weapons from their possession.

The injured continued to be brought to hospitals late into the night as gunfire erupted in several neighbourhoods while people welcomed the New Year 2026. Most victims were hit by bullets fired from unknown directions, officials said.

According to Chhipa Foundation spokesperson Shahid Chaudhry, 25 people were injured in various parts of the city. He said the victims included 36-year-old Mukhtiar near Chhanesar Goth, 33-year-old Nabeel near Haji Mureed Goth in Golemar, 40-year-old Naik Muhammad near Meezan Bank at the New Sabzi Mandi, 20-year-old Ahmed near Korangi No 5, and 30-year-old Muhammad Aslam near Chaman Cinema at Bara Board in Pak Colony.

Chaudhry said 11-year-old Meh Jabeen was injured by a stray bullet near Area Market in Korangi, while 35-year-old Khaliq Masih was wounded near Azam Basti, Street No 13. Seven-year-old Fareeha was hit near Safora Chowrangi.

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Other injured included 16-year-old Sham Kumar near Imam Clinic in North Nazimabad Block I, 65-year-old Haji Zaheer near Johar Mor, 45-year-old Jan Bahadur near Lyari Kalakot, and 18-year-old Faizan near Hotel 420 in Liaquatabad.

A 71-year-old man, identified as Salamat Gul, was injured near Shalimar Bakery in Manzoor Colony. A woman was injured near Qayyumabad, while another woman was wounded near Sikandar Goth in Gulzar-e-Hijri. A man was also injured by a bullet fired from an unknown direction near Juna Mosque in Lyari.

Chaudhry said a woman was injured near Hussaini Imambargah in the Lines Area, while eight-year-old Faria was hit by a stray bullet near Korangi No 5. In Sachal, Gulzar-e-Hijri, 45-year-old Shameem was injured, while 18-year-old Muhammad Hussain was wounded by gunfire in Landhi No 6.

A 34-year-old man, Shahzad, was injured near Kashmir Road, while 44-year-old Ahmed was wounded near a PSO petrol pump in Garden. Rescue officials said two more people, 30-year-old Faraz and 25-year-old Sufyan, were injured near Noorani Kabab House on Tariq Road.

The injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital, officials said.

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Meanwhile, police launched a citywide crackdown against aerial firing and arrested 59 people. SSP District Central Zeeshan Siddiqui said Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police arrested a suspect, Muhammad Suleman, and recovered illegal weapons from him.

He said Gulberg police arrested three suspects -- Usman, Bilal and Bilawal -- while Yusuf Plaza police arrested five suspects. Joharabad police arrested two suspects and Super Market police arrested one on similar charges.

Police said Quaidabad police raided Muzaffarabad Colony and arrested a suspect, Salman, recovering a 30-bore pistol, bullets and spent shells. Gulshan-e-Maymar police arrested Wali Muhammad and recovered weapons from his possession.

According to police, District Central arrested 19 suspects, District East detained 17, and District City arrested seven. In other areas, Malir police arrested six suspects, District West detained three, Korangi police arrested two, District South arrested three, and Keamari district police arrested two suspects.

Police said cases have been registered against the suspects and further legal action is under way. They warned that aerial firing is a serious crime that endangers innocent lives and said a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against the practice.