08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

KOHAT, Aug 7: Police have arrested a gang of thieves who had stolen gold from a jewelry shop three days ago, a senior police officer informed newsmen on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference, SP investigation Faiz Mohammad Khan Khattak said that a three-member gang belonged to Gujranwala had reached the shop by cutting the floors of a two-story building with the help of gas welding machine. The booty was also seized from their flats.

They had bought the equipment, including gas and oxygen cylinders, from Gujranwala two months ago.

The accused were identified as Jabbar alias Mithu, Shahid Butt and Mohammad Irfan alias Watta, residents of Sharipur area, Gujranwala.

The police officer advised jewelers' present on the occasion to keep watch on workers they hire and increase strength of guards in the main Sarafa bazaar to avert such incidents in future.

He said the police would investigate as to how the incident occurred when two police guards were patrolling the particular area on the night of the theft.

About the theft of Rs7.5 million gold from another shop in the same area, he said the police had not filed a case because some close relatives seemed to be involved in the crime.

But the shop owner had refused to nominate anybody in the case or even express his suspicion.