RAWALPINDI: Amid the worsening security situation in Rawalpindi, around 95 cases of street crime were reported to the local police on Friday.

According to police statistics, 19 robberies were committed, 22 motorcycles were stolen and 28 thefts were reported to the police by the victims.

The number of cases also included the 50 victims of cell phone snatching, the statistics revealed.

Rawal division was the worst hit area where the suspects targeted people and deprived them of their cell phones and cash without any check from the police.

Abdullah, a resident of Gulshanabad lodged an FIR with the police saying that he had gone for Iftari in Jinnah Park after locking their house. Upon returning, he found the lock of his house broken and gold jewellery weighing 35 tolas valued at about Rs10.5 million was stolen. Likewise, some unidentified burglars broke into the house of Nazim and took away Rs250,000, gold jewellery worth Rs600,000 and a cell phone.

Unidentified robbers raided a salon in the airport police station’s limits and snatched three cell phones and Rs10,000 from three customers. Rashid Ahmad lodged a similar complaint with the police saying that he was sitting at his auto shop when two unidentified persons barged inside and snatched away his cell phone and Rs10,000 after threatening him.

Hassan Shahzad, a resident of Adiala Road lodged an FIR with the Race Course police saying that he was on the way home when he was stopped by three unidentified persons who held him at gunpoint and snatched away his motorcycle, cell phone and Rs20,000 in cash.

Anjeel Abbas, Atia Gull, Fasihul Hassan and Ali were robbed of their cell phones and cash by some unidentified robbers in the Sadiqabad area. Ikhtisham Khan was robbed of Rs75,000 and a cell phone by two unidentified robbers in the New Town area, while Wajid Ali was robbed of his cell phone and purse by two unidentified motorcyclists near 7th Road.

Tasneem Kausar complained to the Waris Khan police that some unidentified thieves broke into her room and stole away gold jewellery worth Rs1.2 million.

Faisal Qureshi lodged an FIR with the Pirwadhai police saying that four unidentified persons entered his office, held all of his employees at gunpoint and snatched away Rs2.4 million and three cell phones worth Rs675,000.

Hassan Abbad, Jawad, Lehrasib Khan, Muhammad Qasim, Omer Manzoor and Azeem Abbas were among the 22 victims whose motorcycles were stolen from different parts of the city.

Police have registered all the cases on Thursday and launched an investigation.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2025