Three suspects arrested who robbed cars near airport

They allegedly mugged people posing as police personnel

KARACHI: Police claimed on Sunday to have arrested at least three members of an Iranian gang who looted cars near the airport feigning as police personnel.

The arrests were made after an exchange of fire within the limits of the Model Colony police station. Police officials said they reached the site after they received a complaint at Police Helpline Madadgar 15 by a citizen, Naeem Mumtaz Ahmed, about a white Corolla that was being driven by muggers.

Upon receiving the information, a police party conducted snap checking and saw the car mentioned in the complaint moving towards them. The police signalled the car to stop but it sped up and attempted to escape.



When the police pursued the car, the suspects opened fire on them. In retaliation, the police fired back, resulting in injuries to two of the suspects, Jamal Dost and Amir Younus alias Toofan, who were arrested in injured condition. Another accused, Inaam Zohair, who remained unhurt in the firing, was also arrested from the car.

According to the police, two other suspects were also present in the car who managed to flee the scene due to darkness. The police claimed that the arrested suspects were the members of an Iranian gang who used to rob cars near the airport, posing as police personnel. The police also claimed to have recovered a repeater and pistol from the suspects and caps having police insignia from the car along with a fake walkie-talkie set.

A robbed purse, which contained Rs2,200 cash, was also recovered from the suspects' possession.  The injured suspects were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment. Further investigations are under way.