DSP, son among three suspects nabbed for 'dacoity' at Karachi pan shop

KARACHI: Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Zafar Javed and his son were among three suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in a robbery at a pan shop in Karachi.

Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Arif Aslam informed the media that the arrests followed a robbery at the pan shop in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area late Wednesday night. The other suspect arrested was a friend of the DSP's son.

A case was registered based on a complaint by the shop owner, Shahzeb, at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station. The police van used in the crime was also seized.

CCTV footage of the incident showed at least three men, including two with their faces covered by masks, exiting a police van and storming the pan shop. They threatened the shopkeeper and forcibly entered the premises to snatch products and cash.

SSP Aslam confirmed that the police van used in the robbery belonged to DSP Zafar. He added that efforts are underway to identify all suspects captured in the footage. The initial investigation revealed that the DSP’s son and his friends were involved in the crime.

The police are continuing efforts to arrest other accomplices.

The crime rate in Karachi has escalated, with at least 71 people shot dead by robbers in the first five months of 2024. In April alone, 6,780 street crime incidents were reported, including the snatching of 20 vehicles and the theft of over 130 others. Additionally, 830 motorcycles were snatched, 4,200 stolen, and 1,600 mobile phones taken during Ramazan.

In response to the sharp increase in street crimes, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the police to enhance security and monitoring in Karachi to protect the lives and properties of residents.