Two private security guards died trying to foil the robbery. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AZEEM/EXPRESS
Five armed men clad in shalwar kameez entered United Bank Limited’s Korangi K Area Branch at around 1pm. Witnesses said that the robbers fired indiscriminately as they entered the bank, killing one security guard on the spot while wounding another. The robbers later held staff members at the bank at gunpoint and physically assaulted some of them.
They then moved towards the cash counter and stole at least Rs1.6 million. The robbery was committed swiftly and took only seven minutes, after which the robbers managed to escape with the cash. According to Awami Colony police officials, the robbers used motorcycles. However, one car was also used as backup support.
When the police reached the site, they shifted the deceased and the injured guards to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where the injured guard also died. The deceased security guards of Safety and Security Services Company were identified as 40-year-old Muhammad Shafiq and 38-year-old Dilshan Nisar. The deceased were deputed at the bank for the last four months. A third guard present at the bank was unharmed in the attack. SHO Asim Marwat told The Express Tribune that the robbers did not take away the CCTV cameras installed at the bank, adding that police have obtained the footages. “We have clear images of the robbers,” the officer explained. “This footage will help us investigate the case and we are seeking assistance from police informers and intelligence to trace and arrest the culprits.”
The officer added that nothing could be said about the robbers but the involvement of outlawed militants cannot be ruled out yet. A case has been registered. In 2013, at least 29 banks were robbed by armed men. In most of the robberies, members of the banned outfits were found involved.
Beyond the call of duty
A Madadgar 15 policeman was shot dead while trying to foil a robbery on the cash van of a private textile mill in Shah Latif. Police officials said that unidentified armed robbers intercepted Gul Ahmed Textile Mill’s cash van near Manzil Petrol Pump and looted Rs4.5 million.
“Two private guards and one Madadgar 15 policeman were providing backup to the cash van,” said DSP Rao Iqbal. “The culprits tried to escape after looting the cash,” said Iqbal. “The cop intercepted a passing motorcycle and tried to chase them down but was martyred during the exchange of fire.”
The deceased cop was identified as 38-year-old Abdul Khaliq, son of Ashiq Ali.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2014.
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