At least three people including a minor girl were killed and over four dozen others were injured in the aerial firing and kite-flying-related incidents in Rawalpindi on Friday.  Basant was celebrated in Rawalpindi despite a ban on the illegal spring festival. The fireworks and aerial firing continued intermittently in different parts of the city as police failed to control the violators.

The Rawalpindi administration imposed a ban on Basant celebrations and kite flying under Section 144 in January 2023. In this regard, the Rawalpindi City Police Officer also issued crackdown orders to 33 police stations across the district against those who manufacture kites and strings, or order them from other cities and sell or buy them.

But, despite the restrictions, enthusiasts continued to flout the ban on Friday, celebrating the ancient colorful spring festival by flying kites from rooftops in the city. Hospital sources said stray strings and bullets injured at least 50 other people, including children, with some of the injured in serious condition.

A 20 years old Arham Fazal died during the Basant celebrations when he was hit by a stray bullet in the head within the limits of the Airport Police Station of Rawalpindi. A seven years old girl became the victim of a stray bullet in the Momin Pura area. She was rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to injury.  

An official of the SP Potohar Division also sustained minor injuries after being hit by a stray bullet in his arm. However, the district police claimed that they have arrested dozens of people for flouting the ban on Basant and detained many for aerial firing. Taking notice of the situation, RPO Rawalpindi Khurram Ali ordered the senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations to take immediate action against those responsible and house owners for allowing kite-flying on rooftops.

A spokesman of Rawalpindi Police further claimed that so far 316 suspects have been arrested. The police have recovered thousands of kites, strings, and sound systems from their possession.   He said that weapons were also recovered from those involved in the aerial firing.

CPO Khalid Mehmood personally supervised the crackdown against kite flying and aerial firing. SSP operations, Divisional SPs, and SDPOs were involved in the crackdown. During the crackdown, the violators also opened fire on the police party. However, the police party remained unhurt. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP