KARACHI: Over two dozen citizens were wounded in celebratory aerial firing in the city on New Year’s Eve, police, hospital and rescue services officials said.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told Dawn that a total of 28 people, who had suffered bullet wounds on New Year night, were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi and Abbasi Shaheed Abbasi Hospital. Among them, the condition of one person was critical, she added.

An Edhi Foundation spokesperson said that eight teenagers and two women were among the wounded.

Meanwhile, a Karachi police spokesperson said that till night, 50 suspects were arrested for carrying out the firing and 51 pistols were recovered from their custody.

The official said FIRs were registered against the held suspects under sections of 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 337 (hurt), 324 (attempt to commit murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and 25 Sindh Arms Act.

Cop held after pick-up driver dies in accident

A traffic police officer was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly hitting a Suzuki pick-up resulting in the death of the driver in an accident in Clifton, said a senior official.

South-DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the accident took place at KPT underpass in Clifton at night.

He said a traffic police official’s vehicle hit a slow-moving Suzuki pick-up. The Suzuki’s shards hit the driver because of the impact of the accident, resulting in his death.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2025