SARGODHA, May 19: A groom was killed and his two friends suffered injuries by the jubilant firing of his brother here on Friday night at Chak No 9-NB near Bhalwal, some 40km from here. Reports said `Baraat’ of Nasrullah Matto was about to proceed towards Kot Momen when his younger brother Sanaullah started aerial firing. Suddenly he lost his balance and bullets hit Nasrullah and his friends Afzal and Muhammad Shahid. The groom was killed on the spot while the injured were rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Firing at marriage ceremonies has become a symbol of status and police simply play the role of a silent spectator.