KARACHI, Feb 22: Armed men stormed into a private bank branch in the Defence area, held the staff at gunpoint and walked off with Rs2.5 million in the fourth bank heist during the first two months of the current year on Friday.

Police said that four robbers entered the Soneri Bank branch located at Khayaban-i-Ittehad within the remit of the Darakhshan police station, overpowered two security guards and collected cash from counters and the bank’s strong room.

It took the bandits just a few minutes to complete their swift operation. They escaped along with the looted money, a rifle of one of the guards and the digital video recorder.

The police were not sure whether the robbers used motorcycles or a car for their escape.

An FIR pertaining to the bank heist was yet to be lodged at the Darakhshan police station.

It was the year’s fourth bank robbery. In 2012, armed robbers looted 22 branches of different banks, mostly private, in the city.

Opinion

The risk of escalation

The risk of escalation

The silence of the US and some other Western countries over the raid on the Iranian consulate has only provided impunity to the Zionist state.

Editorial

Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...
Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...