Three killed in robbery at GPO

MULTAN: Two armed dacoits forced their way into the general post office in Khanewal and gunned down two security guards, an employee and a retired army officer.

The incident occurred in the afternoon and police officials of Qalb-e-Sajjad station revealed that the robbers had information that the post office would receive Rs6.5 million in cash to be disbursed as salaries on Monday.  The first targets were armed security guards posted outside the post office. Mohammad Ashraf and Mohammad Amin received multiple bullet wounds and died instantly. Cashier Rabb Nawaz was also shot upon resistance before the cash register was emptied. The brigands managed to escape with Rs6.5 million and prize bonds worth millions of rupees.  A veteran soldier, Mohammad Bashir was inside the post office collecting his pension when it was attacked. The army officer was critically injured and is receiving treatment at District Headquarter Hospital, Khanewal.

The SHO of Qalb-e-Sajjad station stated that police officials had registered a complaint and were investigating the incident. He stated that all entry and exit points to the district had been sealed and officials were in the process of collecting evidence from the crime scene. He added that several search teams had been dispatched to hunt down and arrests the criminals.

He told the media that officers from his police station had recorded eyewitness statements and made note of the fact that the attackers made their escape in broad daylight on a motorbike. He further requested citizens with more information on the attackers to come forward and aid police officials in their investigation.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2010.