KARACHI – A disturbing wave of stray bullet incidents has claimed the lives of four children in Karachi over the past six weeks, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for action against aerial firing.
In the most recent tragedy, 11-year-old Zainab was fatally struck while sleeping on the roof of her home in the Mastan Chali area. Investigators suspect the bullet came from celebratory gunfire in a nearby locality.
This incident follows the deaths of three other children:
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Furqan, aged 3, was hit in the head by a stray bullet in Usmanabad on June 27 and later died at the hospital.
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Kristina, an 11-year-old girl, lost her life in Saudabad, Malir, on June 22 when a bullet struck her head.
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Muhammad Yahya, 5, was killed on June 6 in Bahar Colony after a stray bullet pierced the roof of his home.
In each of these cases, the children were either playing, resting, or inside their homes when bullets — believed to have been fired during celebrations — ended their lives.
The persistence of such tragedies highlights the deadly consequences of celebratory firing, a practice that continues despite public awareness campaigns and legal prohibitions. Police have launched investigations into each incident, but arrests remain rare, raising concerns about enforcement and accountability.
Citizens, activists, and child rights groups have condemned the recurring incidents, demanding that authorities implement stricter laws, increase surveillance in residential areas, and take swift action against those responsible for aerial firing.
The loss of innocent lives has left families shattered and communities in mourning, with many urging the government to ensure that no more children fall victim to this senseless and preventable violence.
