Police jumps to action as three children lose lives to aerial firing in Pakistan weddings

Pakistan's coastal city of Karachi has seen a worrying surge in aerial firing incidents during wedding celebrations, leaving four people dead and over 20 injured in just 26 days.

This has prompted the provincial police of Sindh to take tough action against perpetrators.

Victims of this deadly practice include two young boys, a girl, and a man. The police have vowed stringent action, warning that grooms at weddings where aerial firing occurs will face murder charges under sections 302, 311, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), carrying potential prison terms of up to 14 years.

Section 302 of the PPC deals with murder, 109 deals with abetment, while 311 deals with imposing punishment even if the victim's heirs pardon the offender.

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Tragic losses highlight crisis

On January 13, Hameed, a resident of Landhi's Sherabad area, was killed by a stray bullet during a wedding. Police raided the scene but were unable to make arrests.

Just days later, on January 24, two six-year-old children, Banjo and Allen, were fatally struck during a wedding in Surjani Town’s Sector 35-C. Police registered a case but made no arrests.

The most recent tragedy unfolded on January 26, when 11-year-old Azeela was hit by a stray bullet while standing on her apartment balcony on Abul Hasan Isphahani Road. Celebratory gunfire from a nearby wedding claimed her life despite attempts to save her at the hospital. Authorities have since arrested two suspects, identified as Janzada and Jamal Shah.

Police crackdown on reckless tradition

The Sindh Police have issued a clear warning: any instances of aerial firing at weddings will lead to murder charges. FIRs will be registered, and both the groom and his father will be held accountable.

Authorities are urging the public to abandon this reckless tradition, which continues to claim innocent lives. By holding families responsible, the police hope to prevent further tragedies and ensure safer celebrations.

"We are directly registering FIRs under Sections 302 and 311, and using Section 109 against the groom and his family to raise awareness among the public. People need to understand how dangerous these acts done for fun, jokes, or showmanship can be for human lives," stated Aurangzeb Khatak, SHO at Sachal Police Station.