Youth shot dead trying to catch robbers

Incident marks fourth fatal robbery in metropolis within first nine days of 2026

KARACHI:

A young shopkeeper was shot dead while trying to catch robbers who had moments earlier looted his shop in the Shamsi Society area of Korangi on Friday morning, marking the fourth fatal robbery in the metropolis within the first nine days of 2026.

According to Alfalah police station SHO Rao Umair, 25-year-old Muhammad Shoaib, son of Muhammad Aslam, owned a plastic bag and disposable items shop in Al-Badr Society. Two armed men on a motorcycle arrived as Shoaib was opening his shop, looted Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 at gunpoint and attempted to flee.

While escaping, the suspects' motorcycle skidded and fell into a pit nearby. Several people sitting at a tea stall rushed to catch the robbers, with Shoaib also joining in. During the ensuing scuffle, Shoaib managed to pull off the mask of one suspect, prompting the robbers to open fire. Shoaib was shot in the neck and died on the spot. He was rushed to JPMC, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Police recovered two spent bullet shells and collected forensic evidence from the crime scene. Efforts are also underway to obtain CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify the suspects.

Shoaib, a resident of Al-Badr Society, ran his shop near his home, while his mother operated a samosa stall. He was the eldest of four siblings and the sole breadwinner for his elderly parents.

Local residents alleged that street criminals were operating with impunity in the area, blaming inadequate police patrolling for the surge in robberies.

IGP Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and directed DIG East to submit a report. He ordered immediate action for the arrest of the perpetrators and instructed that Shoaib's family be provided full legal assistance and protection.