Robbery victim struggles for life

Despite spending billions, Lahore police fails to control street crime

LAHORE: A woman, who was shot and injured after resisting a robbery in the Race Course area, continued her fight for survival at the Services Hospital on Monday.

Muhammad Siddique, her brother-in-law, told The Express Tribune that the victim is 52 years old and the mother of four children. She was going to be operated on Tuesday. Siddique, in an aggrieved tone, asked that prayers be offered for her early recovery. He said that since the incident occurred, the victim and other passengers of the car were left in a state of terror.



Sharing details of the incident, he said that the victim and other relatives were going to Johar Town in the afternoon. As they reached near Dharampura Bridge on Allama Iqbal Road, they saw two motorcyclists following them. After some time, the suspects signaled them to stop. Sensing danger, the driver sped up car. The suspects intercepted the vehicle by stopping the bike in front of it and ordered the passengers to open the door. When they refused, the gunmen opened fire at the windscreen.

The victim suffered bullet injuries and all the other passengers started screaming. The suspects the opened door, looted valuables including ornaments and fled from scene, leaving Tahira Arif into a pool of blood.

Siddique said that the victim and his other relatives were deeply affected by the incident as it was the first time any member of their family had come under such an attack. They immediately rushed the women to the hospital for treatment. Siddique added that policemen were also standing a few yards away, but the victim’s family failed to inform them of the incident due to their sense of emergency.

A police team reached the spot on information and collected forensic evidence. Race Course Police have also registered FIR No627/17 against unidentified suspects.



Investigation Officer Sub-inspector Saeed said that police were trying to determine the identity of the suspects to complete the arrest. After collecting circumstantial evidence, they also acquired forensic and technical evidence including CDR. He assured the suspects would be arrested soon.

Despite billions being spent on the capacity building of the Lahore police, the rate of street crime has not subsided. On average, 33 cases of crime against property are being reported on a daily basis in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2017.