Five 'bank robbers' detained during raids in Karachi

Accused have allegedly been involved in robbing 10 banks

KARACHI: The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) claimed on Thursday to have busted a gang of bank robbers, allegedly involved in over half-a-dozen bank robberies in the city.

The suspected robbers were arrested by officials and personnel of the Special Investigation Unit and Anti-Car Lifting Cell during joint operations. Their arrests were disclosed during a press conference by the CIA chief, DIG Dr Jameel Ahmed.



Four of the suspects are said to be members of a gang, while the other accused was arrested in a separate raid. "The gang was involved in nearly seven cases of bank robberies," the DIG said, adding that the fifth alleged robber, identified as Fida, was also involved in three bank robberies.

The DIG claimed to have recovered over Rs1 million and arms and ammunition from the arrested suspects. The gang members were identified as Shahid Qureshi, Siddiq Rathore, Tahir Shafi and Wajid alias Mama. Sharing the initial investigation details, the DIG claimed that Qureshi, who is a generator mechanic by profession, is the gang leader. The suspect's brother was earlier killed while robbing a bank in the city, the DIG added.

According to the officer, all eight bank robberies that took place in 2016 have been investigated and the suspects involved in three bank robberies in 2017 have been arrested.