Aerial firing during New Year’s Eve celebrations injured at least 25 people across several neighbourhoods of Karachi, triggering widespread police action against those involved in celebratory gunfire.
Rescue officials said multiple incidents were reported shortly after midnight as residents welcomed 2026. Five people suffered gunshot injuries in Korangi, Golimar, Five Star and the New Sabzi Mandi area. Among the injured were six women and two children, according to emergency services.
In a separate incident in Chanesar Goth, a man was hit by a stray bullet fired from an unknown direction, police confirmed.
ساؤتھ پولیس نے سالِ نو پر ہوائی فائرنگ میں ملوث محمد تنویر، یاسین اللہ اور جمشید گرفتار، اسلحہ اور راؤنڈز برآمد۔#KarachiPolice #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement pic.twitter.com/0iE949rDvn
— Karachi Police (@KarachiPolice_) January 1, 2026Police launched a citywide crackdown following the incidents and arrested 56 suspects from different districts of the port city. Officers reiterated that aerial firing poses a serious threat to public safety and that those who do so will face strict legal consequences.
Read: Karachi Police Announce No Areas to Be Sealed on New Year’s Eve
District-wise operations continued through the night. District Central police arrested 19 suspects, while District City officers detained three people. Malir police took five suspects into custody. In District East, seven people were arrested. Korangi police detained two suspects, while District West arrested three. District Keamari police also confirmed the arrest of two individuals.
نیو کراچی انڈسٹریل ایریا پولیس نے سالِ نو پر ہوائی فائرنگ میں ملوث ملزم گلریز گرفتار، 30 بور پسٹل برآمد۔#KarachiPolice #NewYearAction #LawEnforcement pic.twitter.com/jWFXvv8Aly
— Karachi Police (@KarachiPolice_) January 1, 2026Earlier, Jawed Odho, Additional Inspector General of Police, warned residents that authorities would use Safe City cameras to identify violators. He said police would register firing incidents as attempted murder rather than minor offences.
بلال کالونی پولیس نے دورانِ پٹرولنگ دو ملزمان گرفتار، بڑی مقدار میں آتش بازی اور ممنوعہ سامان برآمد، مقدمہ درج۔#KarachiPolice #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement pic.twitter.com/IYAAH5HKk9
— Karachi Police (@KarachiPolice_) January 1, 2026He added that traffic police remained deployed at key locations to manage movement and ensure public safety, stressing that the objective was to keep Karachi secure during celebrations.
Separately, Ghulam Nabi Memon, the Sindh Inspector General of Police, appealed to citizens to avoid aerial firing, dangerous stunts and reckless behaviour during New Year festivities, urging cooperation to prevent further injuries and loss of life.
