LAHORE: As the city witnessed a surge in street crime in recent weeks, the involvement of Dolphin Squad in robberies has brought about embarrassment for police high-ups.

An official privy to the information told Dawn that the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team arrested three “criminal cops” of the Dolphin Squad which was established for the security of the citizens.

Dolphin Squad SP Nadeem Khokhar said out of them, two cops had already been suspended by the authorities for being wilfully absent from duty, hinting at their possible involvement in street crime.

“I believe in zero tolerance towards the corrupt and criminal cops in the force,” the SP said adding that his department would fully support the criminal action against the Dolphin Squad personnel by the CIA if they were found involved in unlawful activities.

The Investigation DIG confirmed to Dawn that the Dolphin Squad personnel were involved in street crime, saying they would loot citizens at gunpoint.

According to initial investigations so far, he said, they have also shot at five citizens on resistance.

“The CIA has recovered from them some 10 motorcyclists they had snatched during robbery in separate hits,” the DIG said adding other looted items were also recovered from them.

Meanwhile, the robbers continued with their looting spree in the city as they deprived many families of their belongings on Wednesday.

Malik Saqib’s family was deprived of cash and other valuables worth over Rs250,000 by two armed men in Shahdara Town.

In Quaid-i-Azam Industrial area, armed men looted Nisar and his family, depriving them of Rs230,000 including cell phone and jewellery.

Similarly, Javed’s family was intercepted in Islampura area by two armed robbers who later fled the scene after looting cash, jewellery and other valuables worth over Rs165,000.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2018