Two netted for robbing passengers

HASSAN ABDAL:

Saddar police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two members of a robbers' gang, including the ringleader, involved in looting passengers in a 'passenger van' they managed for the looting spree.

Muhammad Ismail of tehsil Jamgah Tehsil, Attock submitted a written complaint to the Saddar police that he is a livestock trader. He left his home carrying Rs430,500 to buy livestock from Tariq of Ajwala, Fateh Jang.

At Gondal Stop, five persons boarded a white passenger van along with him. Six passengers were already travelling in the vehicle. Four passengers disembarked at Lawrencepur Stop, and another at Gharsheen Stop.

According to the complainant, five suspects forcibly covered the heads of him and fellow passenger Muhammad Anwar of Jhang) heads with sheets and tied their hands. The suspects plundered Rs430,500 and a cell phone from Ismail and took Rs310,000 and a mobile phone from Anwar. The suspects then fled towards the motorway after abandoning the victims.

Following the instructions of the Attock District Police Officer (DPO), the police promptly registered a case and a special team led by the Saddar SHO started the probe by using the latest tracing techniques and human resources.

The police managed to arrest ringleader Waqar Younas of Jehangira and his accomplice Mubarak Shah of Charsadda) and seized the van used in the robbery.

Additionally, illegal weapons, including two 30-bore pistols with ammunition, and the looted cash were also recovered from the arrested suspects.

The Attock DPO said that the arrested suspects would be presented in court with solid evidence to ensure they receive the punishment.