The tragic kite-string death of Asif Ashfaq in Faisalabad sparked public outrage. Police used CCTV footage to identify and arrest main suspect Abid and his accomplices, who were flying kites from rooftops onto Dijkot road. Recovered burnt kite-flying equipment showed the callousness of this blood sport. Baobei.com.vn reports on the investigation’s progress in apprehending all responsible parties in this preventable tragedy.
Victim | Asif Ashfaq |
Location | Faisalabad, Punjab |
Incident | Throat slit by glass-coated kite string while riding bike |
Main Suspect | Abid |
Arrest Details | Police used CCTV and technical investigation to trace and arrest suspects |
Equipment Recovered | Burnt kite gear found on rooftop hideout |
String Source | Traced supply line from KPK through Panda Door |
Government Action | Ban on metallic kite string; crackdown promised |
I. Kite Flying Safety Tips
Choose a Safe Location
When flying kites, always pick an open area away from power lines, trees, buildings, and roads. Local parks, beaches, or fields are often good spots. Having an open space allows you to launch, maneuver, and land your kite safely.
Good Locations | Bad Locations |
---|---|
Open fields | Near power lines |
Parks | Wooded areas |
Beaches | Busy streets |
Use Proper Kite String
Avoid metallic or glass-coated kite string, which can conduct electricity and seriously injure people. Instead, use cotton, nylon, or other non-conductive string designed specifically for kite flying. Proper string avoids accidents and is less likely to damage your kite.
- Cotton string
- Nylon string
- Kite manufacturer line
II. Choose An Open Area
Pick a Wide Open Space
When choosing an area to fly kites, it’s important to select a wide open space free of obstructions. Parks, beaches, and open fields are ideal locations with plenty of room to maneuver kites. Stay away from areas with trees, buildings, power lines, busy streets, or large crowds.
Good Locations | Bad Locations |
---|---|
Parks | Heavily wooded areas |
Beaches | Near power lines |
Large open fields | Busy streets |
Consider Wind Conditions
The wind is the invisible hand that guides all kites. Before selecting your flying spot, check wind forecasts and weather reports. Steady breeze between 10-20 mph from a consistent direction is best. Gusty, shifting, or extreme winds make kite control difficult.
- Steady 10-20 mph ideal
- Gusty and shifting winds challenging
- Extreme winds dangerous
Stay Clear of Crowds
Even in wide spaces, flying a kite near large groups of people can be risky. Kites may veer or dive unexpectedly, risking injury. Give yourself, and others, a wide safety bubble. Also avoid areas where model aircraft Fly, so kite lines don’t get tangled.
Safe Distance from Crowds | Reason |
---|---|
100+ feet | Prevent injury if kite dives |
500+ feet | Avoid interfering with model aircraft |
III. Use Proper Kite String
Avoid Metallic or Glass-Coated Strings
Metallic strings should be strictly avoided as they can cut skin and even slit throats. Recently, a youth named Asif lost his life due to an illegal metallic kite string slitting his throat while riding his bike in Faisalabad.
Type | Description |
---|---|
Metallic | Coated with glass or metal particles to cut other kites; illegal and dangerous |
Cotton | Traditional natural fiber string; safe if properly sourced |
Nylon | Artificial smooth and strong string; can handle more tension |
Source Reputable String Suppliers
The string that killed Asif was traced to have come from KPK province through an illegal supply chain. Always buy kite string from authorized local vendors rather than shady sources.
- Cotton String
- Nylon String
- Natural Dyes
Inspect String Before Every Use
Carefully check your kite string for any defects or hidden metal particles before flying your kite. Even natural strings can decay and snap if left in storage too long or damaged in transport.
When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t take risks with string quality.
IV. Be Mindful of Weather Conditions
Flying kites in adverse weather can be dangerous. Strong winds may carry kites far distances quickly, making control and retrieval difficult. Stormy weather with lightning presents electrocution risks from kite strings and frameworks. Rain or snow can negatively impact kite handling and aerodynamics. Always check forecasts before flying. Avoid gusty winds over 15-20 mph and unstable weather when possible.
Weather Condition | Risks |
---|---|
Strong Winds | Loss of control, kite carried far distances |
Rain/Snow | Impacts handling and aerodynamics |
Lightning Storms | Electrocution risk from kite materials |
- Check weather forecasts before flying
- Avoid gusts over 15-20 mph
- Do not fly in thunderstorms
V. Pay Attention to Surroundings
Watch for People, Vehicles and Obstructions
When flying kites, it’s important to remain fully aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the location of people, cars, bicycles, and other potential hazards around you. Sudden gusts could pull your kite string taut, causing injury. Or an unaware passerby could accidentally walk into the kite line’s path.
Hazard Type | Precautions |
---|---|
People | Make eye contact before flying near pedestrians. Warn them if needed. |
Vehicles | Avoid directing kite over roads. Strings can distract drivers. |
Scout Location Beforehand
Before starting to fly, survey the area for any tall structures, trees, or power lines that could interfere with smooth kite handling. Make a mental note so you can steer clear of those spots. Having an unobstructed 360-degree space will make for an easier, safer flying session.
- Trees
- Buildings
- Power lines
- Fences
Have An Exit Strategy
Even when carefully choosing an open location, unexpected obstacles can still pop up. So have a backup plan if you need to quickly relocate or land your kite. Identify alternative open spaces in case you must suddenly change direction. Also, practice techniques for rapid, controlled landing to avoid crashing.
Staying alert to your surroundings is just as important as choosing the right location. Constant vigilance lets you fly safely.
VI. Practice Safe Landing Techniques
Use Wide Open Spaces
When bringing your kite down, find a wide open area clear of trees, power lines, buildings, and people. Attempting to land in tight spaces risks entangling the kite and string, damaging property, or causing injury.
Location | Risk |
---|---|
Tight spaces | Entanglement, property damage, injury |
Open spaces | Lower risk of accidents |
Release Tension Slowly
When landing, slowly release tension on the line instead of letting it go all at once. This will bring the kite down gently instead of allowing it to drop rapidly, which can lead to crashes or loss of control.
- Gently pull in line
- Gradually release tension
- Bring kite down slowly
Have an Assistant On Standby
For extra safety and assistance when landing, have a friend ready to help retrieve the kite if needed. Let them know your plans so they can move into position and be prepared to lend a hand.
Benefit | Details |
---|---|
Extra safety | Able to help if problems occur |
Retrieve assistance | Can grab kite if lands far away |
VII. Conclusion
The brutal kite string killing of Asif Ashfaq shows the deadly consequences of dangerous sports like glass-coated kite flying. Swift police action leading to arrests demonstrates zero tolerance for such violence. The government crackdown aims to end the menace for good. Still the loss of a young life has left Ashfaq’s family and community in grief. Going forward, authorities must enforce the ban on metallic kite string production and sale across Punjab.
The information in this article is synthesized from multiple sources. We cannot guarantee complete accuracy, so caution is advised when citing this article.