June 08, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 03, 1429

KARACHI, June 7: In another gold robbery, second in the week, a gang of heavily armed bandits looted on Saturday cash and gold worth over Rs2 million from seven jewellers in Khokhrapar, witnesses and police said.

On Thursday, jewellers of the Shama Shopping Centre in Shah Faisal Colony had blocked Sharea Faisal in protest against the looting spree by a gang of heavily armed bandits, who took away gold ornaments worth over Rs2 million.

Police officials said they believed that the same gang was operating in parts of the Eastern zone of police as there were similarities in the robberies at the two jewellers’ markets.

Senior Police Officer of Bin Qasim Town Nisar Qaimkhani told Dawn that the possibility of involvement of ‘Jihadi’ elements could not be ruled out. “We have initiated our investigations from different angles,” he added.

Shopkeepers at the Mohammedi Market near Khokhrapar Dakkhana said over a dozen heavily armed bandits came on motorbikes, which did not have registration plates.

Khokhrapar police registered a case on the complaint of Adeeb Ali Shaikh of Rahman Jewellers.

Jeweller Shaikh told Dawn that six to seven bandits entered the market and their remaining accomplices took positions at the main entrance. “Three bandits came to my shop and took away Rs30,000 and whatever gold was present in the shop,” he added.

He said the dacoits in all took away Rs487,000 and gold ornaments weighing 781 grams.

The jeweller said all the bandits were in their early- and mid-twenties and all were clad in trousers and shirts.