Bystanders loot cash of dying robbery victim

In a stark reminder of diminishing human values, bystanders looted Rs0.7 million from the bag of a robbery victim lying injured on a street in Korangi on Wednesday.

The robbers could manage to steal only Rs0.3 million of the Rs1 million Abdul Malik, a textile labour contractor, had withdrawn from a bank branch.

Malik was killed and his young son, Kashif, was injured when they resisted muggers who had attacked them outside a factory near Bilal Chowrangi in Korangi on Wednesday.

Korangi district police chief SSP Tauheedur Rehman said Malik and Kashif had arrived at the factory after withdrawing Rs1 million from a bank. As soon as they pulled up at the factory gate, three armed assailants on two motorcycles intercepted their car with the intention to snatch the money.

However, Abdul Malik and his son put up resistance, leading the panicked muggers to open fire, injuring both. They were rushed to JPMC, but the father died on the way, while his son was admitted for treatment of his gunshot wounds. "Abdul Malik was a contractor at the factory, responsible for providing workforce," the SSP added.

The injured Kashif recorded his statement with police from his hospital bed. "As soon as we arrived with the money, three bandits approached us. When I saw my father being shot, I instinctively fired at the bandits using my pistol," he recalled. "One bullet struck a bandit in the stomach, causing him to fall, but in the meantime my pistol ran out of bullets and another mugger shot me in the leg."

The injured bandit, along with his accomplices, managed to escape.

The SSP revealed that an injured suspect was arrested near Singer Chowrangi during a later roadblock. Identified as Imtiaz Ahmed, the suspect was in possession of Rs300,000 in cash, while Rs700,000 were allegedly taken by unidentified citizens. Police have obtained Imtiaz's criminal record.