NAROWAL: A 15-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a bullet at a wedding ceremony where aerial firing allegedly took place with automatic weapons.

Hasnain Qaiser of Rangpura village was present at the wedding in Gedar Ranwali village. During the celebrations, some guests resorted to gunfire and Hasnain was reportedly struck by a bullet.

He was shifted to the Narowal District Headquarters Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries despite receiving first aid.

The Zafarwal police responded to the incident, while district police spokesperson Usman Hanif denied that any firing occurred at the wedding. He claimed that Hasnain had been injured by his own pistol, adding that the boy’s parents do not intend to pursue legal action.

Local residents expressed alarm over the growing trend of celebratory firing at weddings in Narowal. They demanded Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar arrest those responsible for such reckless acts.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024