Gujranwala witnesses spike in crimes

Four killed in encounters while two traders die resisting robbers in two months

GUJRANWALA:

The Gujranwala district has seen a sharp increase in crime rate during the past two months.

According to official record, at least 4,634 criminal cases have been registered in the jurisdictions of 30 police stations during the period.

Major incidents of crime occurred in the areas of Tatlay Aali, Saddar, Sabzi Mandi, Cantt, Aroop and Eminabad, with millions of rupees stolen in thefts and robberies.

The cases registered pertain to 1,128 incidents of robbery and snatching on the streets, 986 motorcycles being stolen and 165 cases of cattle theft.

Rape incidents were reported in the areas of Tatlay Aali, Ladhe Wala Waraich and Aroop.

Two traders were killed in Eminabad and Khiali over resisting robbers.

Despite the police killing four suspected robbers in encounters, gangs involved in street crimes remain at large.

Over Rs100 million was stolen from a bank van near Tatlay Aali, while more than Rs20 million was stolen from the cashier of a ghee mill.

Three villages were looted in one night and more than Rs50 million was stolen from the homes of a businessman and a doctor.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rana Ayaz Saleem has ordered the police to ensure the registration of cases after all incidents of crime. A police official claimed that the move had resulted in increased number of cases registered.

The official said while speaking to The Express Tribune that action against wanted criminals and those having a crime record in the district was reviewed in weekly meetings.

He said the major case of bank van robbery had been solved and over Rs90 million of the looted amount recovered after the arrest of four robbers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2023.