‘Plot to kidnap more affluent family kids foiled’

Police chief says another group uncovered during investigations of Taseer, Weinstein abductions.

LAHORE:

The Capital City Police Officer said on Monday that city police, while looking for the kidnappers of Shehbaz Taseer and Warren Weinstien, had uncovered a ‘big plot’ to kidnap children of affluent families for ransom.

He said though both high-profile personalities had yet to be recovered, city police had ‘saved’ many children from the same fate.

CCPO Tahir conceded that no arrests had been made in connection with the alleged plot.

He refused to divulge further details of the investigation or of the network behind the abductions of Taseer and Weinstien as, he believed, it could endanger hostages’ lives. He was speaking to the media at the office of the deputy inspector general (investigation) during a ceremony to return stolen cars to their owners.

Tahir said so far 11 bank robberies had been reported this year. He said seven of these were traced to a gang of ‘Pathan criminals’. He said about half of the members of the gang had been arrested from Lahore and the remaining from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the identities of the gang members would soon be made public. He said those responsible for recent robberies at a Faisal Bank branch in Faisal Town and an Allied Bank branch in Green Town were hardened criminals.

CCPO Tahir said it was difficult for the police to arrest such robbers as they would not surrender easily. He said the police would likely face a shootout if and when they found the gang.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, DIG Ali Amir Malik said two criminal gangs had been busted by the investigation wing and 233 stolen vehicles, including 111 motorcycles and 96 cars, recovered over the last one month.

He said 23 theft suspects, including two ring leaders, were arrested in the period in raids led by SSP CRO Sajjad Manj. He said 24 proclaimed offenders and 40 court absconders were also arrested in the period. SSP CRO Sajjad Manj was also present on the occasion. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2011.