Armed robbers snatch Rs13.5m, kill two

Police suspect ambush on poultry farm van was well planned with inside information

KARACHI:

In a brazen attack, armed robbers on motorcycles targeted a vehicle in the SITE Metroville area, resulting in the tragic deaths of two employees of a poultry farm and the loss of Rs13.5 million.

The victims were en route to deposit the money in a bank when they were ambushed by the armed assailants, who swiftly fled the scene. This year alone, the toll of civilian casualties from such violent robberies has climbed to 58. In response, the Chief Minister of Sindh has demanded a thorough report from the Inspector General of Police, expressing outrage at the incident and calling for heightened police patrols in crime-prone areas.

Condemning the incident as unacceptable, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for enhanced police presence in high-risk areas. In a swift move, the Sindh Home Minister ordered the immediate suspension of the SHO Site A.

Following the tragic event, law enforcement officials, including DIG South Syed Asad Raza, SSP Kemari Faizan Ali, and SSP SIU Adeel Chandio, promptly arrived at the scene. The investigation team swiftly initiated evidence collection procedures. The victims of the attack were identified as Zakir, aged 30, and Sher Alam, aged 55, both employees of the poultry farm.

SSP Kemari Faizan Ali revealed that the incident occurred at 9:35, as the victims were transporting funds from the poultry farm's office. The farm's proprietors, Saifullah and Imran, expressed shock at the unforeseen tragedy, explaining that they were en route to deposit funds accumulated during the Eid season.

Expressing concern over the lack of prior notification to law enforcement, SSP Kemari urged individuals to inform the police before transferring large sums of money to ensure adequate security arrangements. He disclosed that over 60 police personnel had been deployed for this purpose.

DIG South Syed Asad Raza highlighted the premeditated nature of the attack, noting that the assailants were well-aware of the victims' route. He underscored ongoing efforts to gather CCTV footage and conduct geo-fencing to apprehend the perpetrators. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of collaboration with eyewitnesses and scrutiny of the poultry farm's staff.

Furthermore, DIG South admonished the poultry farm for failing to utilize available security measures, such as their own security guards. Saifullah, the farm's owner, defended their decision, citing previous incidents in the area and asserting that security provision is the responsibility of law enforcement.

In the wake of this tragic incident, the community is left reeling, prompting calls for enhanced security measures and closer cooperation between businesses and law enforcement agencies to mitigate such risks in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2024.