Lahore, Pakistan
At least 11 people were killed this week at an annual kite-flying festival in eastern Pakistan. National authorities banned kite flying in 2005, after metal or glass-coated strings used by competitors to cut rival kites’ strings also cut the throats of at least nine people. Punjab state authorities this year defied Islamabad to allow the two-day festival to proceed, amid heightened security. Two of the deaths, both of children, were attributed to reinforced kite strings. The other victims were hit by celebratory gunfire or electrocuted while untangling kites from overhead power lines. Muslim religious parties oppose the festival, saying it springs from an ancient Hindu rite.
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