RAWALPINDI: As many as 103 incidents of street crime were reported to police in which 29 people were deprived of motorcycles, 65 mobile phones, four other vehicles, a significant amount of money and gold jewellery.

A senior police official attributed the surge in crime to police engagements in other activities/duties like, protocols, wheat flour distribution centres, providing security to census teams, duty on examination centres and more importantly chosen or political appointments of senior police officers and station house officers.

Another official said that the district police have been facing a shortage of manpower as its total strength is over 10,000; as many as 2,224 police officers have been performing law and order (operational) duties including judicial compliance officers and class VI employees.

Potohar and Rawal Divisions were the worst hit areas where people were deprived of mobile phones, motorcycles, cash and other valuables by suspects who have been operating actively in these areas.

Mohammad Aziz Abbasi, who was associated with the Medicine Supply Company, was robbed of Rs350,000 and two mobile phones by three unidentified robbers in Naseerabad area while Amir Khan was deprived of his motorcycle, mobile phone and Rs2,000 by two unidentified gunmen in Naseerabad area.

Mohammad Fariq, a resident of Chauntra, complained to police that his three employees were sleeping in the fruit farm when two unidentified robbers raided the farm and held them hostage at gunpoint. He said robbers tied them with a rope and took away three mobile phones, cash and six solar plates.

Mohammad Naveed was robbed of Rs21,000 by two robbers in the jurisdiction of Saddar Barooni area, Zaryab Azad and two other persons were robbed of Rs10,000 and two mobile phones by two robbers while they were on the way home after offering prayer. The value of the loot was estimated at Rs44,500.

Mohammad Farooq, a milk shop owner was robbed of Rs40,000 by two unidentified robbers in Tench Bhatta, Shafiq uddin while another milk shop owner was robbed of Rs5,000 by two gunmen in the same area.

Raja Aftab Ahmad’s family members were held up at gunpoint by four unidentified robbers who entered their home in Lane 4 Peshawar Road and looted Rs79,000, gold jewellery worth Rs200,000 and three mobile phones.

He said that the robbers also went to the second portion of the house where Adeel Sohail lived. Upon seeing them, Sohail started shouting which forced the robbers to escape.

Mehmood Ahmad, a resident of Khayaban-i-Sir Syed complained to police that his sister was on the way home when she was intercepted by three unidentified motorcyclists who blocked her way and snatched Rs80,000 and two mobile phones worth Rs240,000 and escaped.

Some unidentified thieves stole an air conditioner’s outdoor plant worth Rs30,000 from District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. Another woman was robbed of her mobile phone and Rs2,300 by two robbers while she was on the way home from the market in Banni area.

Zafar Iqbal’s pick up van was stolen from Naseerabad, Mohammad Aslam’s car was stolen from Banni area, Azizullah’s rickshaw was stolen from Naseerabad, and Syed Atif Hussain’s car from Civil Line area.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2023