Karachi crime wave: Abduction, Rs6.96m mobile shop heist alarm

The incidents have raised fresh concerns over public safety as police investigate the cases and work to identify and apprehend the suspects

KARACHI: Karachi has witnessed two serious criminal incidents, with separate police cases highlighting allegations of a gunpoint abduction and torture in DHA and an armed robbery targeting a mobile phone shop in Gulshan-e-Hadeed.

The incidents have raised fresh concerns over public safety as police investigate the cases and work to identify and apprehend the suspects involved.

In the first case, Darakhshan Police registered FIR No. 265/2025 after Ali Jafari alleged that he was forcibly taken away at gunpoint and assaulted by a group of men in DHA Phase 8.

According to the FIR, Jafari had visited a gaming zone with a friend. After leaving the area, he was allegedly intercepted by Ibrahim and several other men who forced him into a vehicle and drove him towards Seaview.

The complainant alleged that he was subsequently assaulted with sticks and baseball bats and threatened with further harm if he disclosed the incident. He also claimed that the suspects recorded a video of him while threatening him with a firearm and pressured him to contact his family to arrange money.

Jafari said he was unable to immediately approach police because of his injuries and claimed that his family was also threatened.

Speaking outside Darakhshan Police Station, Jafari said he wanted justice and denied knowing the people who allegedly abducted him. His family also alleged that he had been subjected to intimidation and violence and questioned how such an incident could occur in a public area.

The victim’s teacher, Abdullah Jamal, rejected reports that the incident stemmed from a financial dispute. He maintained that there had been no monetary disagreement between the parties and alleged that inaccurate information had circulated about the case.

Advocate Talha Baloch, representing the family, said eight people had been nominated in the FIR while one suspect, Ibrahim, had been arrested. He called for statements from anyone claiming that the incident was connected to a financial dispute and urged authorities to pursue the case on the basis of evidence.

Police have registered the case under several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code concerning abduction, confinement, threats, assault and common intention. Investigators are continuing efforts to trace the remaining suspects and examine the evidence provided by the complainant.

Meanwhile, Steel Town Police are investigating a separate armed robbery at a mobile phone shop in Gulshan-e-Hadeed.

According to the FIR and CCTV footage, four masked men entered the shop and used a hammer to smash the glass display counters before collecting mobile phones and cash. The robbers reportedly escaped with mobile phones valued at around Rs6 million to Rs7 million and approximately Rs960,000 in cash.

The CCTV footage has become a key part of the investigation, showing the suspects entering the premises, breaking the display and removing merchandise and money before fleeing.

Police have registered a case and are examining the footage and other available evidence to identify the robbers and determine their escape route.

The two incidents have intensified concerns about security in Karachi, particularly regarding the safety of citizens and commercial establishments. Residents and business owners have called for effective investigations and swift action against those responsible.

Investigations into both cases are underway, with police expected to gather further evidence and record statements as the proceedings continue.