In a targeted operation based on intelligence, the Pakistan Rangers apprehended five suspects allegedly involved in multiple incidents of pickpocketing and theft in Karachi.
The raid was carried out in the Mawach Goth Morr area of Baldia Town where the Rangers arrested Sarfraz, alias Ustad, son of Ali, Shehzad Gul, Gulzar, Sadiq and Kashan. Four mobile phones and cash were seized from their possession.
According to a spokesperson for the paramilitary force, the suspects were caught red-handed while looting passengers aboard a bus in Baldia Town’s Mawach Morr area. Upon receiving the information, Rangers personnel acted promptly and arrested the suspects on the spot.
Investigations revealed that the group comprised 10 to 12 members and had been involved in snatching mobile phones and pickpocketing incidents across various parts of Karachi for the past two years.
The arrested suspects reportedly used to snatch five to six mobile phones daily and would divide the money among themselves after selling the stolen devices.
During interrogation, the suspects disclosed that certain suspended police officials allegedly helped secure their release in case of arrest in exchange for daily payments from the group.
The arrested men, along with the recovered stolen items, were later handed over to police for the initiation of legal proceedings.
In another intelligence-based operation, the Rangers arrested four suspected members of the ‘Amiri Dacoit Group’ allegedly involved in multiple incidents of robbery and street crime in Karachi.
The raid was carried out in the Sherpao Colony area, resulting in the arrest of Imran, alias Machar, son of Sultan Khan, Ghufran, son of Syed Fazal Mastan Shah, Nazir, son of Khambir Jokhio, and Muhammad Zeeshan Awan, son of Muhammad Arzam.
The Rangers recovered two 9mm pistols with ammunition, one motorcycle, three mobile phones and cash from their possession.
According to officials, the suspects, along with their accomplices, were involved in numerous robbery and street crime incidents across various parts of Karachi, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Tariq Road, Steel Town, Malir and Shah Latif Town.
Imran, alias Machar, was allegedly involved in armed robberies amounting to approximately Rs47 million, in addition to snatching two-and-a-half kilogrammes of gold from a jewellery shop and more than 800 mobile phones in multiple incidents.
Meanwhile, suspect Ghufran had allegedly shot and killed a man in the 89 Morr area of Landhi.
Officials said the arrested men were habitual offenders with multiple FIRs registered against them at various police stations across Karachi. Raids were under way to apprehend their remaining accomplices.
The suspects, along with the recovered weapons, ammunition and stolen items, were handed over to police for the initiation of legal proceedings.
The Rangers have urged the citizens to report criminal elements to the nearest Rangers check post, Rangers helpline 1101 or Rangers Madadgar WhatsApp number. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.
