Aerial firing mars I-Day celebrations in Hyderabad

Stray bullets injure seven, including woman and teenage girl; police arrest four suspects

HYDERABAD:

Celebratory aerial firing during Independence Day festivities left at least seven people, including a woman and a teenage girl, injured in the second largest urban centre of Sindh as gunfire continued in several parts of the city until early Friday morning.

The widespread firing, alongside fireworks, sparked panic among residents and raised questions over the police response, with witnesses reporting that young men and others openly fired weapons in streets, neighbourhoods and on major roads.

As midnight marked the start of Independence Day, the city lit up with fireworks but was also rocked by intense aerial firing. On Jail Road, the firing reportedly continued until Fajr prayers, while no immediate police action was witnessed.

Residents said the scale of the firing was reminiscent of the city's past, with stray bullets also damaging solar panels installed on rooftops in several areas.

According to police and hospital sources, seven people were brought to Civil Hospital Hyderabad after sustaining injuries from stray bullets. The victims were identified as 15-year-old Noor, 17-year-old Hammad, 43-year-old Saifullah, 23-year-old Mustafa Khan, 55-year-old Aneesa, and 22-year-old Muhammad Rafiq.

Doctors said the victims suffered gunshot wounds to their heads, hands and other parts of their bodies and were provided medical treatment.

The city also witnessed severe traffic congestion as large numbers of residents took to the streets to celebrate Independence Day. Major roads in the City and Latifabad areas remained gridlocked, while several incidents of brawls and clashes between groups of young men were also reported. Videos of some of the incidents later circulated on social media.

Meanwhile, according to a district police spokesperson, Hyderabad police arrested four people for allegedly engaging in aerial firing and registered cases against them. Residents said aerial firing continued in several parts of Hyderabad until dawn, intensifying concerns over public safety during Independence Day celebrations.