ISLAMABAD: A woman from the Swiss embassy and five other people were robbed, held hostage for six hours, and forced to bring more money from an automated teller machine (ATM).

According to police sources, a foreign woman and her five Pakistani associates had parked vehicles near Shah Allah Ditta in the limits of Golra police station and started biking towards a stupa located in the limits of Taxila.

“While they were passing through a hill, they were stopped by robbers, who snatched their mobile phones and watches.

“Later, they detained four persons including the women, and allowed two persons to go and bring some amount by withdrawing it from ATMs, warning them that their associates would be killed if they informed the police,” sources said.

“Two persons went and withdrew Rs120,000 and handed the amount to the robbers after which the hostages were released,” they said.

According to a police official at Golra police station, the tourists were detained near a stupa located in Taxila, but their vehicles were parked within the limits of Golra police station, therefore the relevant police station was investigating the issue.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2024