ISLAMABAD: Three murders and dozens of incidents of carjacking, robbery, and street crimes were reported to different police stations across the federal capital over the past week, raising serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the heavily guarded city.
According to data compiled by Business Recorder, police registered a total of 50 criminal cases during the week. These included 31 incidents of vehicle theft, involving 30 motorcycles and one car. The city also witnessed 11 armed robberies, one dacoity, and five cases of street crime, in which victims were held at gunpoint and deprived of mobile phones, cash, jewellery, and other valuables.
Several police jurisdictions have emerged as major crime hotspots, including areas falling under the Aabpara, Karachi Company, Sumbal, Industrial Area, and Noon police stations. Criminal gangs operating in these zones appear to be becoming increasingly bold, taking advantage of security lapses.
A particularly shocking incident last week occurred in the jurisdiction of the Tarnol police station, where a shopkeeper, Abdul Qadeer, was shot dead during a robbery.
According to police, three armed men entered a plywood shop. Two intruders held the employees at gunpoint, taking them hostage, while a third gunman armed with a Kalashnikov stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing the assailants, Abdul Qadeer drew a pistol from behind the counter, prompting one of the gunmen to open fire. He was shot in the head and died on the spot. A case was registered, and an investigation was launched.
Three days later, the ringleader of the gang involved in Abdul Qadeer’s killing was killed in an alleged police encounter, while two accomplices were arrested. Police said the group known locally as the “Kalashnikov gang” was wanted in at least 35 robbery cases across Rawalpindi, Taxila, and Islamabad.
Officials said the suspects opened indiscriminate fire upon approaching a police checkpoint. Although officers escaped unharmed, a police vehicle was damaged. During the exchange of fire, the gang leader, Rehmatullah, was fatally hit — allegedly by bullets fired by his own accomplices — while two suspects were apprehended.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025