2 killed, 95 injured as city celebrates I-Day

What was meant to be a night of celebration and patriotic revelry turned into tragedy in Karachi, as two people were killed and 95 others injured in incidents linked to aerial firing, including a man enjoying tea with his friends who was struck and killed by a stray bullet during Independence Day celebrations.

The 42-year-old man, identified as Mehrab, was sitting at a chai dhaba near the old Sabzi Mandi on University Road in the early hours of Friday when a bullet pierced his chest. He was rushed to a private hospital on Stadium Road but succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

Police said the firing began as revelers took to the streets to celebrate August 14, but stray bullets hit unsuspecting residents in several parts of Karachi.

In the PIB Colony area, police said Mehrab was simpling enjoying a cup of tea when bullet hit him. A case was later registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of his brother, Muhammad Ghulam.

Several other people were also wounded in separate incidents.

In Federal B Area Block 7, 25-year-old Shayan, son of Zulfiqar, was struck by a stray bullet and taken to Civil Hospital. Joharabad police said the injury appeared to have resulted from aerial firing.

In the Sea View area, 30-year-old Ali Ahmed, son of Muhammad Hashim, was similarly wounded by a stray bullet and shifted to Civil Hospital, according to Darakhshan police.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Abdul Jabbar, son of Muhammad Shah, was injured by a bullet while inside his home near Rind Goth in Sachal. He was also taken to Civil Hospital.

The police claimed to have arrested 41 suspects allegedly involved in aerial firing and recovered weapons from their possession.

District East police arrested 10 suspects in operations in Site Super Highway, Sachal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Seven suspects were arrested in Orangi Town by West District police, while Central District police detained 16 people. Another eight suspects were arrested in Korangi, police said.

The arrests came as authorities stepped up action against aerial firing, a recurring and dangerous feature of Independence Day celebrations in Karachi that once again turned a night of festivity into one of mourning for dozens of families