The robbers fired on the police but surrendered quickly after; no injuries reported. PHOTO: FILE
The Mingora police busted a high-profile gang of robbers in the Tahirabad area of Mingora on Saturday.
According to the Mingora police, the gang broke into three shops and was plundering goods from the shops early in the morning when the police raided the area.
“When we got there, they opened fire on us, but later they surrendered,” said Banr Police Station House Officer Naseer Ahmad, adding that cases were filed against them and further investigation will be conducted.
The gang was involved in robbery and looting incidents at shops in the area. “They are a uniformed group of young thieves and robbers who were shoplifting and robbing in the area,” he added.
Theft incidents have shown a recent increase throughout Mingora, which created feelings of uneasiness among traders and local residents.
“A rapid increase was observed in theft incidents in recent days. The thieves were involved in various incidents of robberies in the markets of Mingora bazaar late at night, which was surprising because of the high security cover from law enforcement agencies,” said Ziyarat Gul, a trader in Mingora.
Amjad, a social activist and journalist, told The Express Tribune that apart from shops in the markets of Mingora, many houses in the Panja Khan area were ransacked by thieves in recent days but the police had not nabbed the culprits.
“Active gangs of drug-dealers live there and openly sell all kinds of drugs without any fear,” he added. “Though the locals have filed complaints against the dealers, the police have not taken any action against them yet,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2013.
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