Curbing crime: Hyder Force looks after up-scale residential areas

Established in September, around 30 police officials roam around areas of Clifton, DHA.

KARACHI:

Clad in a black T-shirt, constable Siddiq sets off every evening riding a Yamaha motorbike as a police official sitting behind him clutches a submachine gun.

Eyes marked on suspicious men and activities, the officials are part of the Hyder Force - a small patrolling team supervised by the police of the Clifton division to catch culprits.

“I am happy to be a part of this force as we help bring down the crime rate,” said Siddiq, who stays in touch with the police through mobile phones and walkie-talkies. Driving for long hours does not tire him as he feels it is a part of his duty.

Established in September, around 30 Hyder Force police officials on 15 motorcycles roam around the vulnerable areas of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Clifton, Mehmoodabad and Baloch Colony. Their aim is to capture street criminals and muggers - who have multiplied in numbers in the affluent localities.

Hyder Force is the brainchild of former Clifton SP Sarfaraz Nawaz. According to him, over the years, the DHA and Clifton has seen a surge in street crimes as criminals feel they can get away with sufficient cash in one go by robbing well-to-do families.

The police officials mainly patrol the areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations in the Clifton division - Clifton, Boat Basin, Darakshan, Gizri, Defence, Mehmoodabad and Baloch Colony.

Clifton branch SP M Nadeem now oversees the activities of the force. He feels the presence of these law enforcers is highly important. “The more the police are visible, the lower the crime rates will be. Hyder Force is effective as bikes can enter narrow lanes as opposed to police mobiles.”

A Clifton division police official said that the name was kept Hyder as men are fighting crimes, and they start their day by loudly chanting ‘Allah-o-Akbar’.

Till date, the special team has conducted 319 raids and 20 encounters - the highest number of raids in Darakshan. “Not necessarily every raid leads to an arrest. Often suspects run away before we can even reach the crime scene,” explains the official.

The police have arrested 79 persons for carrying illegal weapons, 59 suspects for other crimes and 52 men running drug rackets. They have also captured two murderers, two terrorists, and eight robbers.

In terms of arms recovery, they have retrieved 76 arms, including pistols, revolvers and rifles, from criminals. They also recovered six grenades from Baloch Colony and seized 7,381 grams of charas, 1,910 grams of heroin, and 45 bottles of liqour.

Due to soaring crime rates in commercial areas, these men focus on such areas of the DHA and Sea View. “Such criminals come from far-fetched areas such as New Karachi and Buffer Zone. They ride in groups to carry out their illegal activities.”

Once a suspect is captured, officials take him into custody and inform the area police to make the arrest and register an FIR.

Though the officials claim to be on duty for 12 hours, residents, however, have yet to see them in action. Asad Kizilbash of the Association of Defence Residents said that he has not been briefed about any such a force. “I have no knowledge of it.” The police officials’ rebuttal is that once the strength increases, the work of the officials would be more visible. “They are currently patrolling these areas with only a handful of motorcycles.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2013.