Infant Fatally Shot in Accidental Discharge in Karachi

In Karachi, an infant tragically died after a bullet from her father's gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of firearm proliferation in Pakistan, which has caused numerous casualties over the years.

An infant in Karachi, Pakistan, tragically lost her life after her father's firearm accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it, local media revealed. The incident occurred on Thursday in Karachi's Federal B Area, Azizabad, according to police reports cited by the Dawn publication.

The episode underscores the widespread gun proliferation in Pakistan, which has physically harmed and claimed the lives of many over the years. Station House Officer (SHO) Imran Afridi of Azizabad Police Station confirmed the infant was fatally wounded at home and that her father unintentionally discharged the pistol. The bullet struck the child's head, leading to her death, as per the police officer, quoted by Dawn.

Authorities detained the father for questioning, and he admitted the shooting was accidental. The infant's mother corroborated this account in both a video and a written statement, describing the incident as an unintentional firearm release, the police noted. Despite this, the investigation remains ongoing, and the infant's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Pakistan has grappled with an uptick in firearm-related incidents for years. Celebratory gunfire during festive periods often results in injuries and fatalities. On the eve of Independence Day alone, at least 95 individuals were injured, and a child was killed due to celebratory gunfire in Karachi.

Other gun-related accidents have been documented throughout the year. In August, a student in Jhang was accidentally shot at Jamia Farooq-i-Azam, as reported by Dawn News. In April, a TikTok user tragically died from a stray bullet while filming a video with a pistol.

Data from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) reveal that firearm misuse and accidental discharges are major issues, contributing to numerous injuries and deaths annually. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)