KARACHI: A 50 per cent surge in bank robberies was recorded in the city this year as compared to last year, with investigators suspecting a growing involvement of extremists in the crime to fund militancy.According to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee, 20 bank heists were reported this year and 14 during the last year in the metropolis. However, police statistics show that 21 bank heists took place this year.

“Members of proscribed outfits struck at banks at least twice during the year,” said a senior police officer of the special investigation unit.

The militant outfit, Jundullah, which is said to have carried out the Ashura blast on December 28, 2009, had a history of bank heists for generating funds, he said.

On April 26, four armed men went into a bank branch in Murad Memon Goth and walked off with Rs4.8 million. A few days later, three suspects were arrested in Gadap Town.

They confessed to being part of a 10-member group of the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, investigators said.

In a similar but botched heist, four armed robbers barged into a bank branch in Qasba Colony, Orangi Town, on June 4.

They were about to make an escape after collecting Rs2.7 million from the branch when police arrived and challenged them.

During the shoot-out, one suspected robber was gunned down and his three accomplices were arrested. During interrogation, it was found that the robbers were associated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

SSP Special Investigation Unit Raja Umar Khattab said the LJ and TTP were involved in the Murad Memon Goth and Orangi Town bank heists, respectively, as proved by subsequent arrests.

“Both the heists were primarily carried out for the purpose of funding their respective proscribed outfits,” said the SSP.

According to the CPLC database, this year’s cases comprise 12 robberies and eight armed robberies in different banks.

The number of armed robberies in banks has slightly decreased from last year’s when 11 dacoities were committed. Three bank burglaries were reported last year, it shows.

It is worth noting here that there are different sections (392 and 395) in the Pakistan Penal Code for robbery and dacoity (armed robbery), respectively, as the number of criminals committing robberies is usually less than those involved in armed robberies.

On Oct 2, 2010, armed suspects struck at two banks within the limits of the Sharae Faisal police station within a span of half an hour and robbed a total of Rs5.79 million.

Investigators believed that the same set of robbers was involved in both incidents though they have failed to arrest the robbers so far.

Mr Khattab claimed that police had managed to find criminals behind a majority of bank heists.

“Till Dec 14, police solved 13 cases out of 21 bank heists,” he said, adding that investigation in the remaining cases was under way.

CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy said that involvement of extremist elements was also suspected in bank heists on the outskirts of the city.

It may be recalled here the promulgation of “Sindh Shops and Establishment (Security) Ordinance” has already been enforced under which banks and commercial outlets are supposed to invest into their own security system rather than rely on the police for their security.