RAWALPINDI: Rawal Division SP Faisal Saleem was injured in a firing in the air incident on Friday night prompting the police to launch a massive crackdown against those involved in jubilation fire and use of fireworks in the vicinity of Holy Family Hospital.

In the operation that followed the incident, at least 33 people were detained in the limits of the New Town police station for their alleged involvement in a fireworks display and jubilation fire during a wedding ceremony.

Police said the episode occurred after SP Faisal Saleem visited the Holy Family Hospital in connection with an investigation into a firing incident that occurred in Pirwadhai area. Around midnight, a stray bullet grazed his head, injuring him critically.

The SP sustained a head injury and was immediately removed to the emergency ward where he was given first aid and later different medical tests were conducted. After his condition was described as stable and out of danger, he was allowed to go home.

A police spokesman said that a grand operation was started late at night in the areas located around the Holy Family and 33 people were detained in connection with firing in the air and fireworks display.

The police claimed the accused resisted the police and fired at the police to avoid arrest.

During the raid, one Kalashnikov, one 12-bore rifle, two pistols along with bullets and cartridges were recovered from the accused, the police said, claiming fireworks and ‘liquor bottles’ were also recovered from the accused.

CPO Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani said, “Those people who play with the lives of citizens for their temporary pleasure cannot escape from the grip of the law.” Rawal Faisal Saleem’s health is now improving and he is undergoing treatment, said the CPO.

It may be mentioned here that jubilation fire in the garrison city has claimed the lives of innocent people and left many injured in the past.

Ahead of Eid, the Nur Khan Air Base authorities also asked the police and district administration to impose Section 144 and launch a search operation in the surrounding areas of the base to curb firing in the air.

An incident which caused the closure of flying operation by the PAF at Nur Khan Airbase on February 24, 2023 and disturbed the prime minister’s departure to Lahore due to flight safety situation had been reported and led to the removal of two DSPs and three SHOs for their failure to keep a lid on jubilation fire.

An FIR had been registered with the airport police on the complaint of the chief protocol officer under relevant sections of the law.

But aerial firing still continues unabated in the garrison city.

A car in the security detail of the prime minister was also struck by an aerial stray bullet that penetrated through its roof when it was parked in the base terminal. However, the driver remained unhurt.

After such an incident happens in which human life is lost or injured, the police repeat the same old tactics — launch raids, detain several people, recover some weapons — to curb the practice, but so far they have not been unable to control incidents of firing in the air.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2023