Deflated tyres: Three Afghans arrested for looting bank customers

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police have arrested a three-member gang of Afghan nationals who robbed people after they withdrew money from banks.

The suspects were identified as Hashim Khan, Shahmshad and Waheedullah. They were traced and busted by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the police. Police also recovered Rs0.8 million stolen money and the rented Corolla car which the suspects used.

Police said the suspects used to monitor people visiting banks to withdraw cash. They would then puncture tyres of their target’s car. When that person would exit the bank and stop to change the deflated tyre, the gang would approach them and rob them.

Police were on the look out for the gang after a Rawalpindi resident was looted in this manner near Zero Point in Islamabad. Tanveer Khan, the victim, was returning after withdrawing cash from a bank in F-6 Markaz on September 27.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.