Mob burns suspected robber alive after resident shot dead in Karachi

Footage shows suspect being doused with petrol and set ablaze, police register two FIRs and begin investigation

A disturbing video has emerged showing a mob in Orangi Town beating and then burning a suspected robber alive shortly after another robber allegedly shot dead a resident during a mugging attempt. Police have registered two FIRs and begun investigations.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident took place on Monday near Sector 7-F, Baloch Goth, within the Orangi Town police remit. Abdul Hannan, a resident of the area, was leaving home for work around 8am when two armed men on a motorcycle attempted to rob him. During the scuffle, one of the robbers opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Hearing the gunshots, residents rushed out and managed to seize one of the suspects while his accomplice escaped on the motorcycle. The mob tied the captured suspect to an electricity pole and subjected him to severe beating.

Video footage shows the suspect being doused with petrol and set ablaze. As flames engulfed him, the suspect struggled to save himself and removed his shirt in a desperate attempt to escape the fire.

Police arrived shortly after and extinguished the flames by throwing sand on the suspect. He was critically injured and succumbed to his burns while being shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Orangi Town police have registered two separate cases; one for the murder of Abdul Hannan and another relating to the death of the suspected robber.

The FIR for Hannan's murder was lodged on the complaint of his father-in-law, Gul Mohammad Khan, who stated that his son-in-law had been targeted during a robbery attempt. He said he reached Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on receiving information and learned that both Hannan and the injured suspect had died.

According to the complainant, Hannan was confronted at gunpoint by two robbers who attempted to snatch his belongings. When he resisted, one of the suspects shot him. Neighbours gathered on hearing the gunfire, caught one of the robbers, and began beating him before the mob set him on fire, while the second robber managed to flee.

The complainant accused the slain robber and his unidentified accomplice of killing his son-in-law during the attempted robbery and requested legal action. Police said inquiries are under way, including efforts to trace the escaped accomplice.