HYDERABAD: Six North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) vehicles have been impounded by the Hatri police on Tuesday, along with three trailers, following the arrest of five accused individuals involved in the theft of vital parts for the vehicles.

“Of course the vehicles do belong to Nato and the accused who are arrested have been stealing different parts from them on different occasion,” said SP Headquarter Wasi Hyder.

He said that no weapons have been stolen from the vehicles and that the accused are now being interrogated. Police have not lodged any case so far.

SHO Hatri police station, Munir Abbasi recieved information that a gang was involved in the theft of Nato vehicle parts by parking the trailers at a location in his area.

“They [the gang] usually park the trailers at a filling station near a restaurant off National Highway and then remove the parts for sale in the open market to earn money,” Abbasi told Dawn.com.

Hatri have seized three trailers with six Nato vehicles on board.

Those who are arrested are Zar Mohammad, Zamir Khan, Akhtar Hussain, Noor Akbar and Mairaj Khan.

“There are three trailers on which the Nato’s vehicles were being brought back to Karachi,” said the SHO.

The trailer numbers are TLC-275, TLQ-051, TLT-951.

“Four armoured personnel carriers and two trucks were on board the trailers which have now been brought to Hatri police for further action,” added the SHO.

While arrests have been made, a full investigation is still due.

“The gang was stealing parts like air-conditioners, motors, search lights and wireless related accessories as these are sold in market for a handsome price. Zamir runs a shop for such parts at Hala Naka,” Abbasi said.

Police had gone for surveillance of the area initially. When the SHO reached the vicinity, the accused felt that they had been spotted and tried to flee from the area.

The SHO intercepted one trailer by blocking a police mobile in front of it and called for backup on a wireless set.

“Since the accused weren’t familiar with area they couldn’t escape and were finally caught in the same vicinity,” he said.

Zar Mohammad leads the gang. Zamir Khan is a mechanic, who performs the major work of removing parts from the vehicles.

Noor Akbar and Miraj Khan are drivers. They are residents of Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency. The SHO said that they had been involved in criminal activities for a long time.