Karachi police have once again failed to control rampant street crime in the city after robbers looted mobile phones worth hundreds of thousands of rupees from a trader right near the high-security Red Zone. According to details, five muggers riding three motorcycles intercepted and robbed a merchant inside the mobile market. The robbers made off with as many as 55 expensive mobile phones, carrying an immense financial value. The criminals fled the scene after snatching two cartons and a bag containing the high-end devices from the trader.

Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan has taken strict notice of the brazen robbery and sought a detailed report from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South. He has ordered the DIG to ensure the immediate arrest of the robbers and directed that all available resources be utilized to recover the snatched valuables. Earlier, Street crime in Karachi had risen alarmingly, with the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) releasing disturbing crime statistics for the month of May.

A total of 4,671 criminal incidents were reported across the metropolis in May alone, raising serious concerns over the performance of the Karachi police in tackling the law-and-order situation. Street criminals targeted citizens ruthlessly, snatching as many as 1,860 mobile phones at gunpoint across the city. Two-wheelers remained the primary target for criminals. According to the CPLC report, 445 motorcycles were snatched at gunpoint, while a staggering 2,240 bikes were stolen over the course of the month.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)