RAWALPINDI: Armed robbers struck at five different places in the city on Saturday and took away more than Rs2.8 million and electronic goods.

They took the victims hostage at gunpoint and injured one of them in different parts of the garrison city.

Special security plan had been put in place by the district police for Eidul Fitr, but none of the robbers has been arrested by the police.

All of the robberies were committed by youngsters who used motorcycles to escape from the scene.

Three young men entered the house of Sarfraz Afzal Raja, a resident of Gulistan Colony Street # 9 and took the inmates at gunpoint.

They collected gold jewellery and cash valuing Rs1.4 million and escaped on their motorcycles after locking the victims in a room.

Arshad Mehmood, an owner of U-phone franchise, reported to the police that he was busy with his customers when five young men riding came on two motorcycles and entered the shop. They pulled out their guns and demanded cash and other valuables.

The snatched Rs700,000 from the shop owner and customers and later escaped.

Four gunmen raided a travel agency in Sadiqabad on Sunday evening and took its owner Mohammad Asghar Sheikh and staff members at gunpoint.

They grabbed Rs400,000 from the cash box and also took away LCD and a DVD. Sajid Imran, a resident of Iqbal Town was shot and injured after he offered resistance to two robbers who intercepted him near Ojri Camp Murree road.

He said he was on way to home after closing his shop when two young men blocked his way and forced him to give cash at gunpoint.

He said he was shot and injured by one of the gunmen when he refused to give up cash.

However, the robbers snatched cash and a cellphone from him and escaped.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2014