Street crime in Karachi has escalated to the extent that not only men but women are also increasingly involved in such offences. In a recent incident in North Nazimabad, a suspected robber was shot dead by a citizen during a mugging attempt, while his female accomplice was arrested by police and booked in a criminal case.
The incident occurred near Landhi Kotal Chowrangi when the woman, along with her male accomplice riding a motorcycle, attempted to rob a citizen at gunpoint. After the suspects allegedly snatched the victim’s mobile phone and cash, the citizen retaliated by opening fire, killing the male suspect on the spot. Speaking to The News, Taimuria SHO Shahid Baloch said the citizen was purchasing fruit at the time of the incident. “As soon as the firing was heard, police responded immediately as the police station is located nearby. We arrested the female suspect and recovered the looted items along with two pistols,” he said. The deceased suspect was identified as Sajid, son of Ghulam Hussain, aged around 32, a resident of Sindhi Hotel, New Karachi.
Police said he was also employed at a factory. Police have contacted his family to gather further information. The arrested woman was identified as Shama, daughter of Ibrahim, aged around 42. According to police, she claimed to be a cancer patient and a heroin addict. SHO Baloch said the woman told investigators that her family had expelled her from home due to her illness and drug addiction, after which she befriended Sajid during drug purchases and later became involved in street crimes with him. Police further stated that during interrogation, the suspect revealed that the duo had carried out two to three similar street crime incidents in the area previously. Additionally, police records show that two to four FIRs of a similar nature, including one registered at Sharae Noor Jahan police station, may involve the same woman.
Three suspected robbers were killed in a police encounter near the Mewa Shah graveyard in the Pak Colony area on Tuesday. They were taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi through Edhi ambulances for treatment where they succumbed to their injuries. Police identified the deceased suspects as Gulab Khan, son of Khayal Asghar, aged 35; Hanif, son of Noor, aged 45; and Salman, son of Abdul Sattar, aged 35.
The suspects were among the most wanted criminals, involved in more than 35 robbery cases across the city. Their criminal record has been obtained and further verification was underway. The gang was involved in robbing citizens after they withdrew cash from banks across the city. CCTV footage of the suspects has also been obtained, showing one of the deceased, Gulab, inside a bank prior to a robbery. The gang would send one accomplice inside banks to conduct surveillance before targeting victims outside.
