Armed muggers run riot on Shah Faisal bridge

Gangs barricade Korangi artery, loot stranded commuters as viral videos spark outrage over policing failure

KARACHI:

The Shah Faisal Colony bridge in Korangi has turned into a crime hotspot, with armed muggers setting up a makeshift checkpoint and looting dozens of commuters at gunpoint on Saturday night

According to eyewitnesses, a gang of muggers barricaded the bridge, halting traffic and creating panic among com-muters. The roadblock triggered a massive traffic jam, leaving long queues of vehicles stranded for hours.

Videos of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed armed robbers operating in groups, blocking the road with obstacles and systematically looting motorists. Some victims were allegedly subjected to violence during the inci-dent, while the muggers were said to be carrying automatic weapons.

Among those targeted was reportedly a family returning home from a wedding function.

Citizens expressed anger over what they described as police failure to curb rising street crime, claiming that such inci-dents had become routine on the bridge.

They alleged that the suspects, believed to be from nearby settlements, easily flee the scene after committing crimes.

The incident also drew strong criticism on social media, with netizens questioning the effectiveness of law enforce-ment in ensuring public safety in the metropolis.

Affected citizens have urged the Sindh chief minister, home minister and the inspector general of police to take im-mediate notice of the situation and ensure strict action against those involved.

Meanwhile, taking notice of the viral video of the brazen Shah Faisal bridge robbery, DIG East Zone Dr Farrukh Ali di-rected police to initiate immediate action and tighten security in the area.

According to his spokesperson, DIG Dr Farrukh instructed the SSP Korangi and SSP Malir to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident and register a case against those involved.

He stated that Shah Faisal bridge is a key public artery of the metropolitan city, and added that additional police should be deployed immediately to prevent such incidents in the future, along with enhanced patrolling in and around the area.

The DIG further directed that indiscriminate action be taken against elements involved in disturbing law and order, stressing that the protection of citizens' lives and property must be ensured at all costs.