Armed robbers take life of one more citizen

Bike-riding bandits tried to stop victim's vehicle, opened fire when motorist did not stop

KARACHI:

Armed assailants on motorcycles fatally shot a motorist and injured his companion in Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi. The incident occurred when the bandits attempted to halt the victims' vehicle near Ajmer Tower. Ignoring the demand to stop, the motorist pressed on, prompting the attackers to open fire before fleeing the scene. The deceased, identified as Amjad Mahmudi, leaves behind two children, while the injured, Amanullah Mehsud, holds a prominent position in a real estate association. This marks the 49th civilian fatality attributed to armed robberies in the past three months.

Eyewitnesses report that the assailants, riding a 125cc motorcycle, pursued the victims' vehicle, firing multiple shots before escaping. Prompted by the sound of gunfire, locals rushed to the scene and transported the victims to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Law enforcement officials, including SSP West Hafeezur Rrhman Bugti, arrived to investigate, with the Crime Scene Unit collecting evidence.

The injured Amanullah recounted withdrawing one million rupees from a bank, of which he had given 950,000 to someone and was carrying the remaining 50,000 to deposit elsewhere when the attack occurred. The lack of effective measures to address such crimes in areas like Gulshan-e-Maymar, Surjani Town, and Khuda-ki-Basti has raised concerns among residents, who accuse authorities of failing to apprehend known criminals.

DSP Gulshan-e-Maymar Dr. Farrukh Hussain stated that the incident occurred during a robbery attempt, with investigations ongoing to uncover further details. Meanwhile, relatives of the deceased lamented the loss, revealing plans for a celebration following the recent birth of Amjad's daughter. Despite recurring incidents, no tangible progress has been made to tackle the pervasive issue of violent crime in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2024.