Eight suspects held as street crime gang busted in District Central

The District Central police have busted an eight-member street crime gang operating in the city arresting its alleged ringleader along with his son and other accomplices during a successful operation within the Taimuria police’s limits.

The arrests were disclosed during a press conference held by District Central SSP Dr Imran Khan. He said the gang led by Mansoor Ahmed and his son Fahad had been involved in a series of street crimes across Karachi.

A special team comprising the FB Industrial Area SHO, Taimuria SHO and technical staff was formed to track and arrest the suspects residing in a rented house in the area. The arrested suspects were identified as Mansoor Ahmed, Fahad, Ubaid, Muzammil, Irfan, Nauman, Imran Ali and Zubair.

During the operation, police recovered six TT pistols, two fake pistols, three motorcycles, 17 snatched mobile phones, 13 stolen national identity cards, eight watches and four bags. Initial investigations revealed that Ahmed acted as the mastermind, managing planning, logistics and distribution of the stolen cash, whereas his son Fahad actively led street crime operations along with other gang members.

Police said the gang had been involved in over 100 incidents of street crimes in recent months, including mobile phone snatching and cash robberies. The suspects typically carried out crimes between 1am and 3am, mainly targeting young citizens and forcing victims to unlock their mobile phones on the spot.

Some gang members were directly involved in robberies, while others facilitated the sale of stolen goods. Suspects Ali, Zubair and Nauman were specifically involved in purchasing snatched mobile phones, altering their IMEI numbers, and reselling them in the market at higher prices.

Authorities said details of the recovered mobile phones and identity cards were being verified, and efforts were under way to contact the affected citizens. Cases were registered against the arrested suspects under relevant sections at the Taimuria police station.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar praised the West DIG, Central SSP and their teams for the arrests. He said that the police’s courageous operations against criminals were commendable.