IG Sindh awards Rs50,000 to citizen for killing robbers

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General (IG) AD Khawaja on Wednesday awarded Rs50,000 prize to citizen Yasir Jamil with for his "valiant" efforts against alleged robbers.

The Sindh police chief persuaded the citizens to make similar efforts to help the police fight crimes in the metropolis.

AD Khawaja persuades the citizens to make similar efforts to help the police fight crimes in the metropolis. — Photo courtesy Sindh police

Two suspected robbers were shot dead by Yasir when they tried to loot him in Nazimabad No.1 late on Sunday evening, the Rizvia Society police said.

The suspects, riding a motorbike, reportedly intercepted Yasir’s family travelling in a car in Urdu Bazaar area with the intention of robbery. "Yasir, who had a licenced pistol, opened fire on them," said SSP Investigation Central Arab Mahar.

"One suspect died on the spot while the other succumbed to his wounds during treatment at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Their identity could not be ascertained immediately," he said.

The senior police officer added that the citizen also had left the scene by the time police arrived there. However, quoting witnesses, the SSP investigation central said that the men killed in the incident were "robbers". The officer further said that they were investigating the case.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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J Ahsan

Aug 03, 2016 05:48pm

Shows how incompetent Sindh Police is.

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Najam

Aug 03, 2016 05:51pm

How low can you get!! Reminds me of western movies where town Sheriff would seek help to combat crime. Hope someone in upper echelons realizes the gravity of situation.

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ishaq

Aug 03, 2016 05:53pm

Not the responsibility of the citizen...

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H. Dave

Aug 03, 2016 05:55pm

Encouraging people to kill robber is very risky - They should watch movie Gangajal (Film by Prakash Za )

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Hasaan

Aug 03, 2016 06:03pm

Law enforcement agencies CANNOT appreciate people taking law into their own hands, however desperate the situation

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Syed Kaleemullah

Aug 03, 2016 06:06pm

That's the spirit !! Appreciated ...

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MFR

Aug 03, 2016 06:07pm

OMG ! Very Really need reforms in Sindh Police. look the at the mind set of the IG.

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Dr.Ashfaq Ahmed Mangi.

Aug 03, 2016 06:09pm

At least 100000.

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Wally

Aug 03, 2016 06:31pm

For publicity, this IG is putting the life of this citizen at risk. Now the poor guy would have to spend 10 times the money to protect himself!

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Shahnawaz

Aug 03, 2016 06:31pm

@Najam This is called citizen policing, and very much appreciated every part of the developed world. I can at least say as a resident western Europe. Although, you don't get any money. We very much need this kind of policing as our police with hundred - thousands of recruits alone cannot cope with the menace we have in the metropolitan. Of course this can also lead to crime as well. Nevertheless, I see more pros than cons.

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Smart Solution

Aug 03, 2016 06:35pm

Since police system has failed to provide adequate security for peoples life and properties, its logical that people would do whatever it takes to defend themselves from criminals. This episode of shooting criminals starts a new debate as to how far an average citizen should go to protect himself, his family or others in the public places. Furthermore, what would happen if rangers leave sindh and police is unable to provide protection, would every citizen would be walking around with fully loaded guns, just in case he see a robbery in process, taking laws in his hand, shoot to kill?

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Dr. Farooq Khan

Aug 03, 2016 06:40pm

Not a good idea

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Ahmed bin Babar

Aug 03, 2016 06:51pm

Against the rule of law, how can he be rewarded for taking two lives..? In fact he should be indicted for over violence under the existing law...

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Raja Khalid

Aug 03, 2016 06:54pm

This is not a good example. He tried to save his family its good, but giving money as a shabash will indirectly make others think to take the law in their own hands.

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Atif

Aug 03, 2016 06:54pm

Good job. Every citizen should be brave enough to immidiately taken action againt these street criminal.

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Erdogan for caliphate

Aug 03, 2016 06:59pm

These are not petty criminals. Many such robbers on motorcycles are armed and kill without remorse.

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Aug 03, 2016 07:02pm

Are we promoting a new way to make money.

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irfan

Aug 03, 2016 07:04pm

I don't know what should I say, Its an act which shows incompetent Sindh Police or its good to encourage the citizens to keep the license guns to protect yourself.

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Tuluka Kudi

Aug 03, 2016 07:05pm

Where is gun control?. Why do so many ordinary citizens possess licensed weapons?.

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Usman

Aug 03, 2016 07:09pm

Faisala on the spot

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Nisar

Aug 03, 2016 07:10pm

If the IG Police had some sense he would have had this man arrested and allowed the judicial system (good or bad) to decide right or wrong! Instead he rewards him and says more people should do this??!! Has he absolutely lost his mind? If we all started carrying weapons and shooting criminals there would be chaos and mayhem .. even more than there is now and NO ONE would be safe .. people would shoot other people and say I thought he was trying to rob me! Pathetic!!

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Concerned Citizen

Aug 03, 2016 07:17pm

This should not have happened!

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Umair

Aug 03, 2016 07:22pm

What the ....!!!! i cannot believe i am reading this. This is ridiculous, ordinary citizen should have no right to kill anyone!!!!!

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Aug 03, 2016 07:22pm

This is weird and a sign of a failing society. A prize for killing 2 robbers? The details are not mentioned under what circumstances did he fire. In any case, how can he be rewarded. Someone with a twisted logic came up with the idea to reward him. Tomorrow this may inspire people to kill other citing attempted robbery as cause.

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shiraz

Aug 03, 2016 07:25pm

Getting paid for taking law into your own hands??????? Not a good governance.

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Khanm

Aug 03, 2016 07:27pm

In my opinion his is not fit to be an IG police for setting up a trend like this..one should not take the law in his hand..it is not wild wild west...

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Anynomous

Aug 03, 2016 07:29pm

Absolutely stupid! The identity of guy should not have been revealed for his safety first. Secondly, citizens engaging in shooting robbers will result in criminals to shoot victims of robbery, knowing they may have gun or have been encouraged to resist. Thirdly, this is not Bollywood movie scene, where police exact justice on their whims. Citizens should not resist for cash and a cell phone cuz it is not worth it. Unfortunately, police in Karachi seems to be inspired from Bollywood style justice of encountering criminals. No law agency should act with such disgrace as sindh police has.

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Syed Jafri

Aug 03, 2016 07:32pm

Case is under investigation and check is already delivered. It shows the level of intellectual dearth in Sindh police. Instead of doing its job, Sindh police is encouraging vigilantism and this would lead to more anarchy just like two brothers in Sialkot were beaten to death and hanged by a group men as police and people watched and turned out both were innocent.

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Sam

Aug 03, 2016 07:33pm

What was this guy doing with a gun? Just wondering.

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Intisar Ali

Aug 03, 2016 07:33pm

Probably the action of Yasir Jamil is correct. He has done to protect himself and his family. But giving him prize money and publicize to encourage general public to do the same does not make sense. This will create anarchy in the society. Its like giving a killing license to general public. They will decide on the road and can kill anyone. Its the job of police, prosecution and judiciary to provide justice and ensure rule of law. Must not be done by public.

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TKhan

Aug 03, 2016 07:35pm

@Shahnawaz - It is called Citizen's arrests in most civilized and western societies. If a citizen sees an unlawful activity, he/she should make a citizen arrest and hold the culprit till the police arrives. Under no circumstances a citizen should take a decisive action in harming their own or alleged criminal's life. Rewarding a vigilante is OK for helping; but not killing. A victim even of a criminal's family can file law suit for unlawful death and excessive use of force.

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Jaleel

Aug 03, 2016 07:37pm

Is it a joke. Law enforcement agency encouraging people to kill and hide under cover of self defence of some kind??

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Intisar Ali

Aug 03, 2016 07:39pm

It is like encouraging citizens to become killers.

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Azmat Ali

Aug 03, 2016 07:39pm

The IG just put a huge target on the back of this guy. Not only awarded him, but put his photograph in the paper. Now the friends / family members of the dead looters would be looking for this guy! What senselessness! If I ever am in a situation where I see people looting another car or bike owner, I fully intend to drive over these buggers and get away fast. That is, if I see a clear ability to exit. Otherwise, there seems little sense in getting shot and killed (or, worse still, maimed for life) for a few thousand rupees.

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UZAIR

Aug 03, 2016 07:42pm

Did he just outsourced his job?

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Gerry D'Cunha

Aug 03, 2016 07:43pm

What an idiotic plans by sindh police to kill a robber and get 50,000 rupees as reward - it will now be easy to kill your enemy ( as robber) and get your reward. This is how you run your province,shame!!!

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Aftab

Aug 03, 2016 07:44pm

@Shahnawaz Citizen policing does not mean citizen have to risk their lives or do the work which police suppose to be doing or failed? How illogical you and police are!

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ata khan

Aug 03, 2016 07:47pm

Really appreciate this action. If it comes to a situation to protect ones family I would have done the same, and I think everyone would take the same action.

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Shahid

Aug 03, 2016 07:47pm

No sane person will endorse this.

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ZULFIQAR

Aug 03, 2016 07:53pm

Its Good Move by IG Sindh Police if More citizen would have License Weapon Crime will come down Criminal Knows that karachi People are very scray i have being Robbed almost 6 times before Rangers Operation Starts Now i can Talk on Cellphone on Street & Take out Wallet & See More License is Good Sign Like in USA Weapon in every Home people has But that does not mean People Open Fire Like law State of Texas we should adopt some example of Old days of wild West which was same like Current Pakistan Situation But Changes Happen when in Defence you have Weapon for Protection

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N_Saq

Aug 03, 2016 07:57pm

This is height of stupidity asking people to take law into their own hands. Carrying or arms should be discouraged not encouraged. This police officer should be reprimanded. The question here is was the robbers armed? Was Mr Yasir or his family life was threatened at any time? Why he has to shoot the robbers? Why didn't he held them at gun point until the police arrived? This should be fully investigated.There are two lives lost here so Mr Yasir should be investigated and not rewarded. Punishment for robbery cannot be death until the robbers were carrying arms and there was a threat to life.

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Muzaffar Ali

Aug 03, 2016 07:57pm

Pathetic! This can have far reaching negative consequences for the law and order situation in the country.

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Rameez

Aug 03, 2016 07:59pm

This persuasion can risk the life of citizens. Very bad idea. Citizens should not take law into their hands.

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Jami Khan

Aug 03, 2016 08:02pm

Unbelievable!! Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to 'Land of Wild West'. Let's disband all the LEA and hand over our security to local militias. This is sickening to the least.

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Ali Rizvi

Aug 03, 2016 08:03pm

Completely Insane! No matter how grave the situation, people cant take the law into their hands. "Licensed weapon" doesnt give them the "License to Kill". Courts should look into it. The 'robbers' were supposed to be tried and convicted by the courts, given the failed police had been able to catch them!

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Ali Rizvi

Aug 03, 2016 08:04pm

@Shahnawaz This isnt west bro! we are insane without weapons, let alone do community policing!

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iltifat

Aug 03, 2016 08:08pm

So now the police is promoting killing, this should never be allowed in a civilized society. Apparently they were just petty thieves, who were unarmed.

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Aug 03, 2016 08:10pm

Why is everyone babbling about, whether it was the right move or not, to allow people to kill; while completely ignoring the fact that "killing" someone for "robbery" is not right. Shooting someone in the arm or leg or in the lower abdominal area would've equally saved that person and his family's life while sparing the thief's. Now I know he must've done it in the heat of the moment, or wouldn't have time to take his aim or decide

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Imran

Aug 03, 2016 08:12pm

this is insane. how can law enforcement agencies ask people to take law in their own hands and start punishing people at their own discretion . . is this the wild west!!!!

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ashar

Aug 03, 2016 08:14pm

A right approach adopted by the IG. People need encouragement. Otherwise in Karachi a person fears taking someone to hospital might implicate him. People should keep their licensed weapons with them and use them when necessary, once the culture is established street crimes will be negligible like Peshawar.

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Javed Arshad

Aug 03, 2016 08:17pm

Rewarding and publicizing heroics by an ordinary citizen by the police chief is not recommended. it is going to invite troubles in future. People cannot be allowed to do judge on their own.

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anony

Aug 03, 2016 08:28pm

Not the right way to do things (Police should be doing this), but it's the need of the hour with so many robberies.

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Champion of the lost cause

Aug 03, 2016 08:30pm

Government should make it easier for all the lawabiding citizen to buy fire arms as follows: a) Any tax paying citizen having no criminal record according to NADRA data base be allowed to buy fire arms within a week. There should be no police inquiry when the individual's NADRA record is clear. b) It must be made mandatory for all the individuals to buy fire arms made in Pakistan Ordnance Factory. This way government will earn a lot of money. c) A special one day training session on every Sunday be organized in Rangers facility to train people about safety and the use of weapons with practice of firing of certain number of rounds to learn how and when to use the same. If these street criminals will know that a large number of people are carrying arms, it will serve a kind of deterrence for them.

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Kaka Ji

Aug 03, 2016 08:36pm

This is going set a wrong precedent.

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asad

Aug 03, 2016 08:41pm

Well in situation like this better to fight back rather than get killed by these thugs. But police needs to take responsibility for their jobs. Thugs will think twice before stopping an innocent citizens after these kind of incidents. But this shouldn't be a norm.

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Pakistani

Aug 03, 2016 08:42pm

Good man

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TechnoKraft

Aug 03, 2016 08:41pm

Good encouragement and attitude. This strategy can help curb crime in the city.

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Aug 03, 2016 08:41pm

how? roam with a gun and shoot at everybody you suspect? what if i shoot couple of guys on bike who turn out to be innocent!!!

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Sudhanshu Swami

Aug 03, 2016 08:55pm

reward should be two months salary of whole staff of concerned police station. If criminal is of district level then all police station combined. Just for 50000 police is setting wrong trend.

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Usman

Aug 03, 2016 09:00pm

What else we can expect from PPP ??? Its a worst move to reward someone who is killer , even though he killed a bad person... I have no idea when people of Sindh will wake up from a dream and comes to streets against all these corrupt and terrorist... Wake up Pakistanio ... Wake Up ...

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Shakil Ahmed

Aug 03, 2016 09:01pm

Not the great example, but i would have the same if i was in his position. Take precautionary measures, call police if you can, but do defend yourself and family if you have the chance. Defending your house, property is duty of state.

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Shehzad Notkani

Aug 03, 2016 09:07pm

very bad, it is very good to protect family against such criminal but directly killing them is worst he should have fired on legs and other organs as they could be cured of successfully then it would be easy to investigate whole gang rather than closing chapters by killing them this will bring wrong effect in youth every one will break the law and sindh police by appreciating him showed that they are unable to arrest such criminals.

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Mac

Aug 03, 2016 09:09pm

@Shahnawaz Which countries you are referring to, I have seen such people being arrested and sent to jails for such killings. Citizen policing is not necessarily armed and ready to shoot. Their role to help police and replace them.

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Truth serum

Aug 03, 2016 09:12pm

Is this for real. Awarding people for killing.

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Justwasif

Aug 03, 2016 09:12pm

Now who will safe him..?

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JUSTICE

Aug 03, 2016 09:16pm

Let citizens handle all the security issues in Sin, not only in Karachi. Sind police are busy providing personal security and special protocal to incompetent PPP leaders.

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Aam Aadmi

Aug 03, 2016 09:30pm

In any western country, he would have charged for murder and then for the courts to decide. How can IG knows guy is telling the truth (most likely yes, but this can be used by people to kill their adversaries without any reason).

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xpakistani

Aug 03, 2016 09:33pm

This should not be promoted. Self defense is fine and encouraged, but it might turn into a wild west bounty hunting which is dangerous for the society if given a free hand. The defender should still be able to prove that he or she killed in self defense.

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Mir kareem jan

Aug 03, 2016 10:23pm

Well done Mr. Khawaja so now you mean we people of Karachi Sindh should protect our self on our own efforts. I thing you noticed that your Police force is just good for nothing and thanks for waking us up from the day dream that Sindh Police will protect us when we are in need.

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Canadian

Aug 03, 2016 11:11pm

This will encourage anyone to kill anyone and get rewarded. It is a society where terrorist kill innocent in the name of religion, family kill their daughters in the name of honor and people kill anyone in the name of robber. Is killing the only solution?

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Aroon

Aug 03, 2016 11:12pm

Extrajudicial killing? Really an award for that?

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Mirza

Aug 03, 2016 11:23pm

They are encouraging citizens to kill people. Doesnt matter if they were robbers.

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Atif Khan

Aug 03, 2016 11:27pm

Great job acknowledging the citizen. People must feel safe that the law enforcement guys will not harrass them if they defend themselves against urban criminals...

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I. Khan

Aug 04, 2016 12:14am

Every citizen in Karachi who has no criminal record should get a hand gun licence and be allowed to carry it. I bet the robberies will go down by 90 %.

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adil

Aug 04, 2016 12:24am

The good, The bad, And The Ugly. Make profession by killing the criminals and get the rewards .

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 04, 2016 01:00am

This is a very dangerous trend, how the senior police officer is suggesting citizens to gun down or lynche suspected robbers. This time two robbers were killed other time some innocent will get killed. I don't understand why the policing & maintaining law & order work is being entrusted to common citizens. May be IG Sindh praised this action without giving a careful thought. For good or for bad this man has killed to human being, this thought will surely haunt him.

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Jamil Soomro,NEW YORK CITY

Aug 04, 2016 01:28am

Congratulations to gutsy brave Yasir for saving his own life and lives of his family. These robbers are cowards. He has proven, as an individual, to the rest of the world he will not take any nonsense from any thugs out to rob him and others. The IG Sindh has rightfully acknowledged his bravery and rewarded him.

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Seedoo

Aug 04, 2016 01:30am

A horrible idea! Encouraging people to kill robbers only goes to put the lives of the very people in danger. This guy got lucky with killing the robbers. Good for him. However, the next person who tries to kill a robber may not be so lucky. Most robbers are lot better at using weapons than common people.

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Very concerned citizen

Aug 04, 2016 01:42am

Clearly the IG is highly immature and an ignorant person. How has he become the boss of Sind Police? Of course we know. We shall wait for the CM to sack him immediately. Many above have written how stupid this whole idea is. No further comments can be made.

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T.M.KHAN

Aug 04, 2016 01:46am

Incredible! The chief of Police encouraging vigilantes. The consequences will be devastating with this type of adventurism. Why don't we just altogether disband this useless, inept, corrupt to the core force full of criminals and start all over again. That may offer a better solution rather than asking civilians to take up arms against the dacoits.

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Zafarul Azam

Aug 04, 2016 02:02am

Its a pretty tricky slope rewarding citizens for killing petty thieves. No judge will award death penalty to a thief or robber, so why should lay citizens be allowed to be the judge jury and executioner at the same time.

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 04, 2016 02:21am

Corroboration between police and citizens for controlling law and order is great as long authority is not abused.

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Sameer

Aug 04, 2016 03:00am

@Tuluka Kudi because if they didnt, they would be dead.

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Sameer

Aug 04, 2016 03:06am

Admire Sindh IGs admittance to Sindh Police incompetence. With that said, the police can no longer keep the society safe. Thank You Raheel Sharif for making Khi safe again!!!

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Sameer

Aug 04, 2016 03:11am

@Shahnawaz Two things... You "Being European citizen" aren't allowed to be armed. Samaritans are supposed to inform the police there, not shoot the robbers on sight because the state police is functional. I would not be surprised why becoming a European Citizen is blessing when countries like Pakistan can no longer depent on state institutions for help. Thank God we have the Rangers.

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Sameer

Aug 04, 2016 03:14am

@Nisar lovely...looks like you've never been robbed. My friend was robbed, they shot him in the leg upon resistance and he was amputated. This happened on the 12th of May...you know the year.

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aebak

Aug 04, 2016 03:55am

In the USA its called a "Stand Your Ground Law" that if a citizen is threatened with a deadly weapon, he has the right to use deadly force to protect his life. The Police first arrested the victim, and only after verification and recovery of other stolen item and an illegal pistol from the robbers that they decided not to charge the private citizen, and appreciate his bravery. Great work by Sind Police for not harassing lawful citizens for protecting themselves.

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Hasrat

Aug 04, 2016 04:18am

Firearm license is not a luxury that you can get at the fruit market. If you are licensed to carry a gun means that you have been trained as how and when to use it. These license are not given to practice balloon shooting. This is a license to kill with proper guidelines and precautions.

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Peace

Aug 04, 2016 04:21am

People may grab the criminal and handover to police. Taking law in hand by people is illegal,and must refrain to act such.

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Shah

Aug 04, 2016 04:24am

Bad idea... mostly the robbers kill... calling citizens to kill robbers is lethal.

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Ozzi

Aug 04, 2016 05:38am

Voila! Great job Yasir Jamil!! People who are criticizing him for defending his family and property do not have any idea how it feels to get robbed.Specially when one is with his children/family. People who faced these crimes only know how difficult it is for them to live normally after repeated incidents of robbery/burgulary/kidnapping. All peaceful citizens be allowed to keep arms. We are not America or Europe we are Pakistan and our ground realities are different. Its an irony that criminals here can keep all kind of advanced lethal weapons without impunity while a citizen has to go through a cumbersome process to obtain a simple TT pistol. We are not a resourceful country and given our capacity of policing and safeguarding ordinary citizens it is prudent to allow citizens to defend themselves by keeping weapons . Criminals would atleast think twice before killing/robbing anyone as they know the victim or even a passerby can retaliate. Ultimatley people would feel more safe.

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Qamar

Aug 04, 2016 06:28am

Every citizen do not have the licensed arms. It is entirely states responsibility to protect us.

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Sidster

Aug 04, 2016 07:41am

@Shahnawaz: As a Citizen of Pakistan, Is this person allowed to use gun for Self Defence? For example in US the constitution allow individual to own a gun, so some states do allow use of self defense to protect life only.

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M. Riaz Khan Advocate

Aug 04, 2016 09:58am

Not good

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Ali Vazir

Aug 04, 2016 12:39pm

Dear Dawn I was robbed of my all savings in Karachi by armed robbers who were chasing me from the bank. I have the video footage, pictures of the robbers. Police, CPLC and Rangers are taking no action. Someone help me please arrest them and recover my belongings.

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Sana

Aug 04, 2016 02:21pm

What would I do in a situation that puts my family in danger? Kill the attacker. No. Injure them. Yes. The guy who killed the robbers in self-defence was carrying a licensed gun. Does that makes it ok to kill? Why not injure the "robbers" with multiple shots then call an ambulance? Not everyone should be issued with a licence. Were the "robbers" armed? How many of us carry a license weapon before we hit the road everyday? Was any investigation carried out? Were there any witnesses? On top of everything: why award a prize for an act carried out in "self-defence"? Rs. 50k could have been better used to feed a family of an underpaid yet outstanding police worker to boost the moral of the police & encourage them into doing their jobs honestly. Giving right to citizens to take matters into their own hands? That too in a society where social ranking is above the law & common man has no protection as it is & honour killings are on rise. What's Next: National Purge Day?

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