Man suffers neck injury by kite string

A man was injured after a sharp kite string slit his throat in Lahore's Sanda area, prompting police action and the removal of the local station house officer (SHO).

Police said the incident occurred in Taj Park, where a citizen identified as Imad was returning home on a motorcycle when a hazardous kite string struck his neck. He sustained injuries and was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him out of danger.

SP Iqbal Town Sidra Khan visited the site, ordered registration of a case, and reviewed the situation.

Police said a crackdown against kite flying was already under way in Iqbal Town Division.

Officials stated that 377 cases have been registered so far, with multiple arrests made.

During operations, over 38,000 kites, 1,030 string reels, 258 chemical-coated strings, and 136 bundles of kite string were seized.

Authorities reiterated that strict action is being taken against kite flyers and vendors to prevent such incidents.

Meanwhile, SHO Sanda Sharjeel Awan has been removed from his post and directed to report to Police Lines. Rana Zaka has been appointed as the new SHO, with a formal notification issued.

Police affirmed that enforcement against kite flying will continue to curb injuries caused by dangerous strings.

In the first week of February 2026, a three-day Basant festival was held in Lahore after the government temporarily suspended a 21-year ban through an ordinance, allowing kite flying under certain conditions. While official records from the Home Department reported 17 deaths and 160 injuries, sources of The Express Tribune revealed that the death toll may be as high as 21.