Armed robbery in one of the busiest markets of the city shook the confidence of the traders on the security set up of the capital.
A shopkeeper was killed while two others were injured resisting an armed robbery at a jeweller shop in the Melody Market in Sector G-6 on Tuesday morning.
Although the security guards chased the fleeing robbers and even fired gunshots at them, none hit the suspects and the managed to flee unchallenged from the crime scene.
The robbers resorted to heavy gunfire, creating terror and panic in the entire area. People took cover behind cars while shopkeepers ducked under the counters as bullets flew in all directions breaking window panes of some shops.
Police reached the crime scene when the robbers have left, though the Aabpara police station is around 600 metres away.
Police cordoned off the area and collected evidence from the crime scene.
Officers, quoting the victims said that three unidentified robbers, disguised as beggars, came to the shop seeking alms. As they entered the premises, they took out weapons and held the jeweller and employees hostage.
However, the shopkeeper seeing millions of rupees worth of gold going away, resisted the robbers on which they opened fire due to which jeweller and two workers got seriously injured.
They were rushed to the nearby Fatima Clinic but one of the casualties, Humayun, succumbed to the wounds.
Islamabad police immediately set up pickets in an attempt to intercept the suspects but failed despite availability of the real time footage of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras of the safe city project.
Traders protest
The traders of Melody Market rolled down their shutters after a robbery at the jewellery shop. The protesting traders demanded the arrest of the suspects and improve security in the commercial areas.
While addressing the demonstrators, Islamabad Traders Action Committee President Ajmal Baloch said that the Melody Market is at a brief distance from Prime Minister Secretariat and Aabpara police station besides other sensitive locations around Aabpara.
He expressed that a robbery in such an area in broad daylight was a matter of concern as well as a challenge for the government.
The traders demanded the arrest of the robbers in a week or else warned to amplify the protest.
Baloch said that the incidents of robberies were escalating every day in Islamabad and called for the government to control them.
Melody Traders Association General Secretary Naeem Achakzai grumbled that the Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed should have visited the market after the robbery. He demanded the resumption of police and paramilitary rangers patrolling for the restoration of law and order.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2020.
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