LAHORE: Under the leadership of Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan, special operations of police teams are underway in the province to deal with kite flying and mid-air shooting.

IG Punjab has ordered all supervisory officers in the province to bring to justice kites who fly kites in the dark of night and crack down on those who sell kites online and metal cords, says a press release posted here on Wednesday.

He said special operations should be carried out against kites in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and other major cities and there should be no delay in taking action against the accused involved in the manufacture and sale of kites and metal strings. He said even defendants who sow terror by shooting in the air deserve no sympathy and strict legal action should be taken against offenders. He said that if there is a death by wire incident in any district in the future, relevant watch officers would be called upon to respond.

IG Punjab said the special campaign should be intensified in collaboration with the district administration, civil society and parents for the prevention of kite flying. He urged citizens to report 15 against kite flying and shooting in the air so that immediate action can be taken against offenders. The Punjab Police Spokesperson said that in the first three months of this year, 7,918 cases were registered against kite flying and shooting in the province and 8,500 people were arrested. In this regard, 639,151 kites and 15,859 pulleys were recovered. Giving details on other areas of the province, he said 2,032 cases of kites and aerial shootings were recorded in Lahore and 2,069 people were arrested.

In the Rawalpindi region, 1,136 cases were recorded against kites and aerial fire and 1,166 people were arrested. In Faisalabad area, 1,327 cases were recorded against kites and aerial fire while 1,395 people were arrested. In Gujranwala region, 1,719 cases have been recorded while 1,958 people have been arrested. In Sheikhupura region, 522 cases have been recorded while 602 people have been arrested. In Multan region, 389 cases were recorded against kites and shooting while 423 people were arrested.