RAWALPINDI: Three people, including a minor girl, were killed, and over 50 others were injured in Rawalpindi on Friday due to kite-flying-related incidents and aerial firing.
Basant, a spring festival, was celebrated in the city despite a ban imposed by the Rawalpindi administration under Section 144 in January 2023.
The police were unable to control the violators, and the festivities continued throughout the city. The district police claimed they arrested dozens of people for flouting the ban and have recovered thousands of kites, strings, and sound systems. Weapons were also recovered from those involved in the aerial firing.
However, the celebrations resulted in the deaths of three people, including a 20-year-old man who was hit by a stray bullet in the head and a seven-year-old girl who became a victim of a stray bullet in the Momin Pura area.
Hospital sources reported that at least 50 other people, including children, were injured, with some in serious condition, due to stray strings and bullets.
Taking notice of the situation, Rawalpindi RPO Khurram Ali ordered the senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations to take immediate action against those responsible for the festivities and house owners who allowed kite-flying on rooftops.
The police party also faced fire from the violators, but no injuries were reported.
It is important to note that despite the ban and crackdown orders, enthusiasts continued to flout the rules, resulting in loss of life and injuries. The Rawalpindi administration and police failed to take stricter measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur.
