Guard abets Eid break bank heist

Armed suspects, aided by an on-duty security guard, looted gold ornaments worth billions of rupees from a microfinance bank in North Nazimabad during the Eid holidays.

The robbers cut open 22 out of 30 lockers using gas cutters, escaping with the gold, CCTV DVR, and other security equipment.

According to police officials, the heist occurred between the night of June 7 and the early hours of June 9 at a bank located in Block D, North Nazimabad. The suspects also took the DVR of the bank's CCTV cameras, the security guard's pistol and repeater shotgun, and a mobile phone before fleeing the scene.

Upon being informed, officers including SP Gulberg Division, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) North Nazimabad, and SHO reached the scene. The Crime Scene Unit and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) were also summoned for collecting evidence.

Police took Amanullah, the night-shift security guard posted at the bank, into custody.

During the preliminary investigation, Amanullah confessed to unlocking the bank's gate to let 10 to 12 armed men enter. The suspects reportedly arrived in a white car and a blue rickshaw, carrying welding equipment used to cut through the lockers.

SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqui said that the suspects had brought a complete set of welding tools and iron rods. He claimed that the arrests will be made soon as the detained security guard is cooperating in identifying his accomplices. The police also revealed that prior advisories had been issued to banks, including the affected microfinance bank, regarding holiday security protocols.

A case of robbery has been registered based on a complaint from bank manager Amir Iqbal. According to the FIR, the bank operates a gold-backed loan service and stores customer collateral in lockers on the ground floor. During the Eid holidays, security personnel from a security guard company were deployed in shifts - two guards from 8am to 8pm and Amanullah from 8pm to 8am.

The complaint details that on the night of June six, five individuals entered the bank via the ATM booth entrance after Amanullah opened the door. Although Amanullah later claimed he was tied up with his own trouser drawstring, investigators believe this may have been staged. The robbers then used gas cutters to break open 22 lockers and remove the gold inside. They attempted to cut into two safes containing additional gold and cash but failed.

While the cash remained untouched, the robbers escaped with a significant quantity of gold jewellery. The suspects also tried to erase evidence by stealing the CCTV DVR system and the guard's weapons.

Police continue their investigation, with surveillance and intelligence teams working to trace the gang's movements and recover the stolen property.