HYDERABAD: Around Rs40 million to Rs50m were looted on Wednesday from a security van within the jurisdiction of Chhalgari police station which was transporting the cash from Karachi to Moro, police said.

Initial investigation revealed that four vans of the security company were transporting Rs300m cash of a bank when one of the vans developed a fault at “the most desolated place” in Chhalgari police station’s limits near Miani forests.

Three security guards, one mechanic and a driver had been taken into custody by police as suspects, said Hyderabad SSP Amjad Ahmed Sheikh.

The driver, Asghar, told police that his vehicle developed a fault and when he opened the door of vehicle’s portion where cash was lying to get the tool box, three robbers overpowered him and took away the amount from the van.

He said that the other vehicles were ahead of him and his van’s brakes had failed. He confirmed that dacoits didn’t take away his mobile phone.

SSP said that police team asked driver as to why he didn’t stop in any other busy area and why he didn’t ask his co-drivers of other vehicles to return, to which he replied evasively.

The company claimed that around Rs150m were stolen. The SSP, however, maintained that claim of the company was being verified, and suspected that probably Rs40m-Rs50m were taken away.

SSP Sheikh said: “Entire amount of company is insured.” FIR would be lodged after verification of the facts, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2022