By Daily Mail (World News) | Created at 2026-08-14 11:40:21 | Updated at 2026-08-14 12:55:13
1 hour ago
A man and a baby were killed and nearly 100 people wounded after revellers opened fire into the air during Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations.
The gunfire erupted across the capital Karachi on the eve of the country's independence anniversary on Thursday, leaving at least 94 people injured despite official bans on the dangerous practice.
Dr Summaiya Syed, Karachi's police surgeon, said the casualties were spread across several hospitals in the city. Civil Hospital treated 17 victims, while 24 were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and a further 53 to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
She said one man from Karachi's PIB Colony neighbourhood and an infant were killed by stray bullets fired into the air.
Pakistan news outlet Dawn reported a woman who was admitted with a gunshot wound later died, although police said her death was the result of a gun accidentally firing.
Earlier figures from the charity Edhi Foundation said 86 people had been injured, including 10 women, 17 children and 59 men - which have since climbed in number.
Celebratory gunfire, also called 'happy firing', is the shooting of a gun into the air in celebration – and is practiced in several countries, including Pakistan and India.
It is highly criticised due to its high risk of fatality, with the death of three people during last year's festivities.
People in Pakistan celebrated on the eve of Pakistan's Independence Day in Karachi on August 13, 2026, as fireworks went off
During the celebrations (pictured), a man and a baby were killed and nearly 100 people wounded after revellers opened fire into the air
Incidents were reported last night across numerous parts of Karachi, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence.
Police in Karachi's East district said they had launched a crackdown on Independence Day celebratory firing and arrested 30 suspects from various neighbourhoods.
Officers said weapons allegedly used in the shootings were also seized during the operation.
The arrests were made in areas covered by the Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sharea Faisal, Sachal, Gulistan-i-Johar and Site Super Highway police stations.
Meanwhile, police in Karachi's West district said they had arrested three suspects in connection with celebratory firing incidents.
Celebratory gunfire remains a persistent problem in Pakistan during public celebrations such as Independence Day and New Year's Eve, despite repeated government bans and police crackdowns.
Last year, three people, including a young girl, were killed and more than 100 others were injured by celebratory gunfire across Karachi during Independence Day festivities.
Pakistan gained independence from Britain on August 14, 1947, through the 1947 Indian Independence Act passed by the UK government.
People set off fireworks in-between buildings as revellers in Karachi celebrated
A student waved a Pakistani national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Karachi
The British Raj ended when the subcontinent was partitioned into two separate sovereign dominions: Pakistan and India.
People take to the streets each year in celebration of gaining independence.
In 2019, a groom in India was killed by celebratory firing after a friend misfired three bullets at his wedding.
The groom's brother was left fighting for his life in hospital.
The fatal shot was fired minutes after the groom, Satyendra Kumar, exchanged garlands with his bride, Bhuletan Rai, at a ceremony in the north-eastern city of Patna.
This moment, when the wreath of flowers exchanged hands, was meant to signify the couple's acceptance of the marriage and the start of their new lives together.
Instead, the groom was rushed to hospital, where he died early the following morning.
His brother, who was also shot, is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
An hour before the fatal shots were fired, the wedding procession had arrived at the bride's house, where the marriage rituals took place.
As part of the ceremonies the betrothed exchanged flower garlands and the groom's friends took over the stage in celebration of the momentous occasion.
Someone on stage, who is yet to be identified, pulled out a firearm and began firing celebratory shots into the air at around 11 that evening.
However, local media reported the man, believed to be a friend of the groom, tried to clear bullets stuck in the gun barrel and as a result three were misfired.
One bullet hit the groom, and the other hit his brother – Guddu Kumar – critically injuring him.
