Karachi robbery turns deadly: 19-year-old shot dead by armed robbers

A 19-year-old youth was shot dead by armed robbers in Shah Latif Town’s Abdullah Goth area after he attempted to resist a street robbery by throwing stones at the attackers, police and family sources said on Wednesday.

KARACHI: A 19-year-old youth was shot dead by armed robbers in Shah Latif Town’s Abdullah Goth area after he attempted to resist a street robbery by throwing stones at the attackers, police and family sources said on Wednesday.

The incident adds to the rising toll of citizens killed during resistance to robbery attempts in Karachi, with the number reaching 39 so far this year, according to available figures.

Police said the victim, identified as 19-year-old Syed Mohammad Rizwan, son of Nasser Abbas, was a resident of Abdullah Goth with ancestral links to Bahawalpur. He was employed at Qasim Textile Mills located along the National Highway.

According to the victim’s brother, the incident occurred early in the morning when he, his brother, and their brother-in-law were walking to work. The elder brother and brother-in-law were walking ahead while Rizwan was slightly behind them.

The family stated that three armed men on motorcycles intercepted them and snatched mobile phones at gunpoint. Upon witnessing the robbery, Rizwan tried to resist by throwing stones at the attackers. In response, the robbers opened fire and fled the scene.

Rizwan sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and died on the spot. His body was later shifted to Jinnah Hospital for legal formalities and post-mortem examination. The family also reported that the victim’s mobile phone fell during the chaos and was later taken by someone from the crowd.

Police officials said that evidence was collected from the crime scene, including four spent bullet casings. Shah Latif Town Station House Officer (SHO) Mumtaz Marwat confirmed that a single bullet struck the victim in the chest, which proved fatal.

He added that investigations have been initiated and efforts are underway to trace the suspects involved in the robbery and killing. Police are examining available forensic evidence and possible CCTV footage from the area to identify the culprits.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over street crime in Karachi, where armed robberies and resistance killings have become increasingly frequent. Authorities continue to face pressure to curb rising incidents of violent crime targeting citizens across the city.