Karachi rocked by a spate of street crimes

Businessman killed, several injured while resisting robbery attempts

KARACHI:

Karachi was rocked by an unsettling wave of crimes during the Eidul Azha holidays, heightening security concerns among the residents of the teeming metropolitan city where police have been struggling to maintain law and order.   

In North Nazimabad, armed assailants on a motorcycle robbed Municipal Commissioner Amar Khan and UC Secretary Anwar of their mobile phones at gunpoint. The brash robbery occurred near Khairul Bashar mosque in North Nazimabad, Block I, falling within the remits of Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan police station.

The commissioner, who was overseeing sanitation work in the area, was issuing instructions when the perpetrators robbed him and swiftly fled the scene.

In another incident, armed robbers looted Rs600,000 from a bakery in Bhains Colony, Malir. Zahid Qureshi, a courageous businessman who confronted the robbers, paid the ultimate price. He was shot and killed before the assailants made their escape. Police have obtained CCTV footage to identify the ruthless robbers.

In New Karachi, motorcycle-riding muggers targeted a man who resisted their robbery attempt near Saleem Centre. Daniyal, a 28-year-old, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. Prompt assistance from Chhipa volunteers facilitated his urgent transfer to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for emergency medical care.

In another unfortunate incident, a young man was shot allegedly by his brother during a dispute near Derakhshan Shadi Hall in Sector 16B of Shah Latif Town. Adeel, 26, who received gunshot wound to his leg, was rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment. Police are searching for the suspect, identified as Shakeel.

Separately, a young man, named Fakhar Abbas, 24, sustained critical injuries after robbers opened fire during a robber near Baitul Mukarram mosque in Block 13 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal. He was swiftly transported to the JPMC, where he is currently under treatment.

In the Korangi Crossing area, 30-year-old Saqib Ali suffered a gunshot wound to his chest during a robbery attempt near Bilal Masjid. He was swiftly taken to the JPMC where he is under treatment at the ICU for his critical wounds.

Meanwhile, Altaf, 32, was shot and injured by unidentified assailants near Phool Pati Lane, in Street No 5 of Baghdadi. He was promptly driven to the Civil Hospital for medical treatment. The victim's brother Shahzad revealed that Altaf was targeted after bravely resisting the robbers who had already victimised others. Baghdadi police are investigating the incident.

In yet another incident, a young man, identified as Saad, 22, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg when robbers on a motorcycle attacked him at Regal Chowk in Saddar. Edhi volunteers transported him to the Civil Hospital for treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2023.