Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day was marked by heightened national fervor after May’s war with India, but celebrations turned deadly in Karachi as celebratory aerial firing killed three and injured over 100.
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan marked its 78th Independence Day on Thursday with a surge of patriotism fueled by its declared victory in May’s deadly conflict with India, but the celebrations were overshadowed by deadly incidents of celebratory gunfire in Karachi, leaving three people dead and more than 100 injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at a commemorative ceremony in Islamabad, announced the creation of a new Army Rocket Force to bolster the country’s conventional missile warfare capabilities, calling it “another milestone in strengthening our defence.”
The move comes three months after the fiercest fighting between the two nuclear-armed rivals in decades, which saw the downing of at least six Indian fighter jets, according to Pakistan’s official account.
Flag sales surge, national mood charged
In the run-up to the holiday, flag markets across the country were flooded with buyers, with Pakistan’s largest flag producer, VIP Flags, reporting an estimated 50% jump in sales compared to last year. Officials and traders attributed the boom to the public’s heightened pride following the May conflict, which ended on May 10 after US-mediated talks.
The fighting, triggered by tensions over killings in Indian-administered Kashmir, involved missile strikes, drones, and air battles. Pakistan hailed the outcome as a strategic victory.
Deadly tradition mars Karachi celebrations
In Karachi, the country’s largest city and financial hub, Independence Day night turned deadly when celebratory aerial firing broke out across multiple districts.
Police Surgeon Dr. Summaya Syed confirmed that three people, including an eight-year-old girl and a 70-year-old man, were killed, while at least 119 others were injured. Victims included numerous women and children, many struck by stray bullets while on rooftops or in open areas.
Security tensions linger despite celebrations
While Independence Day events across the country showcased fireworks, parades, and patriotic songs, the backdrop of ongoing tensions with India was hard to ignore.
Announcing the new Army Rocket Force, Sharif said it would be capable of “targeting the enemy from all sides” and would be equipped with modern missile systems.
The two countries have fought three wars since 1947, two of them over the disputed Kashmir region. The May 2025 conflict, sparked by the killing of 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, underscored the fragility of peace in South Asia.
ST
