ISLAMABAD: In the month of April, citizens in Islamabad lost cash and valuables to the tune of Rs165.3 million to thieves and robbers – which roughly translates into Rs3,828 per minute.

On average, cash and valuables worth at least Rs5.51 million were either looted or stolen every day, which means thieves and robbers made Rs229,716 per hour, as per data gathered from the Islamabad police.

The police registered 974 cases over incidents of dacoities, robberies, burglaries, thefts, and auto thefts. In three incidents of dacoities – two targeting houses and one aimed at a shop – registered by the police at Shalimar, Shahzad Town, and Golra police stations, the culprits looted Rs9.1m in cash, 25 tolas gold, and seven mobile phones.

The police also registered 276 cases of robberies, including an incident in which a man was murdered by culprits who also stole Rs40,000 in cash and a motorcycle.

In at least 13 incidents of robberies, the culprits shot and injured 13 persons. In nine such incidents, culprits stole cash and valuables worth Rs705,000 and 11 mobile phones.

Police register 276 robberies, 79 burglaries cases

Four incidents of violent robberies were also registered by the police, in which as many persons were injured, the data revealed. In three such cases, culprits looted cash and valuables worth Rs109,000 and two mobile phones.

The police also registered nine cases of house robberies, and in eight such incidents, the culprits got away with cash and valuables worth Rs15,459,000, 52.5 tolas of gold, and 11 mobile phones. In 15 incidents of shop robberies, the culprits looted cash and valuables worth Rs1,698,580 and 16 mobile phones.

Similarly, 230 cases of street robberies were also registered, and in 226 such incidents, cash and valuables worth Rs21m, a Vigo vehicle, 53 motorcycles, four-tola gold, and three laptops were stolen.

In three registered cases of robbery-cum-kidnapping, the culprits stole cash and valuables worth Rs171,000 and 1.25 tola gold. In one case, a culprit disguised as a government official got away with Rs60,000.

A total of 276 incidents of robberies were registered by the police: 95 in Rural Zone, followed by 92 in Industrial Area Zone, and 57 and 32 in Saddar and City zones, respectively. Three cases of snatching from home were also registered in which cash and valuables worth Rs103,370 and 23 tolas of gold were snatched, while in 89 incidents of street crimes, cash and valuables worth Rs3.8m, 82 mobile phones, a vehicle, three motorcycles, and a laptop were snatched. At least 94 incidents of snatching were registered by police: 38 in Rural Zone, 26 each in Saddar and Industrial Area Zone, and four in City Zone.

The police also registered 66 cases of house burglaries, and in 60 such cases, the culprits stole cash and valuables worth Rs33.8m, 238.5-tola gold, 28 mobile phones, 25 laptops, and a motorcycle. 44 incidents of house thefts were also registered and in 36 such incidents, the culprits stole cash and valuables worth Rs16m besides 51-tola gold, 28 mobile phones, eight laptops, and a vehicle.

The police also registered 13 cases of shop burglaries, and in eight such incidents, the culprits stole cash and valuables worth Rs 5,247,000. At least 15 cases of shop thefts were also registered and in 11 such incidents, cash and valuables worth Rs3,341,900, six mobile phones, and a laptop were stolen.

The police also registered 15 incidents of thefts by employees and in 14 such cases cash and valuables worth Rs20m were stolen. 58 incidents of thefts in streets were also registered and in 46 such incidents cash and valuables worth Rs2.46m, 27 mobile phones, four laptops, a cycle, three batteries, five goats, four water buffalo, and a dog were stolen.

A total of 79 incidents of burglaries were registered: 35, 18, 14, and 12 in the Rural, Sadar, City, and Industrial Area zones, respectively. A total of 132 incidents of thefts were registered by police: 48, 34, 26 and 24 at Saddar, Rural, City and Industrial Area zones, respectively.

Moreover, 73 cases of vehicles stolen were also registered by the police. A total of 73 incidents of stolen vehicles were registered by the police, 28, 20, 14 and 11 at Sadar, Rural, Industrial Area and City zones, respectively. During the last month, 317 incidents of motorcycle thefts were also registered in Saddar, Rural, Industrial Area and City zones. Police PRO Taqi Jawad was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2023