ISLAMABAD: At least 11 people were killed and 132 injured whereas valuables to the tune of Rs3.99 billion were either stolen or snatched by criminals during the past year, data collected from the police revealed.

During the previous year, 11,271 crimes, including robberies, snatchings, burglaries, thefts and auto thefts, were reported. However, there was no record of items stolen in at least 1,973 incidents, as the figure of Rs3.99 billion only accounted for 9,298 incidents out of the total of 11,271 cases.

It may be noted here that the figure of Rs3.99 billion is a conservative estimate, as in scores of complaints, precise details of the valuable items, such as gold and electronic appliances, were not mentioned by the victims. According to the details compiled by Dawn, at least 3,114.8-tola gold worth Rs680 million was stolen.

According to the data, there were 17 dacoities in the capital – two took place at houses, one at a commercial centre, and nine in public areas. Out of the total of 17 incidents, criminals looted cash, 29-tola gold, 17 mobile phones, and two motorcycles.

Data reveals 11 killed, 132 injured in 2023

The police registered 2,604 robbery incidents. In 10 cases, robbers murdered 11 victims. In 115 such incidents, the suspects either stabbed or roughed up their victims. In 17 incidents, the suspects kidnapped the victims whereas in one incident, the alleged robbers were disguised as state officials.

There were 78 house robberies, 100 at commercial centres and 2,283 in public spaces, the data revealed. Out of the 2,604 robberies, cash and valuables to the tune of Rs321m were stolen. It also included 372.25-tola gold, 27 vehicles, 484 motorcycles, and 2,336 mobile phones.

The police also registered 1,398 snatching activities in the capital: nine at houses, 10 at commercial centres, and 1,314 in streets. 27 such incidents were committed by suspects impersonating officials, and in 24 incidents, victims were kidnapped.

In 12 such incidents, criminals beat up and injured victims, while two snatching incidents were committed by police officials. Out of the total 1398 cases, the criminals snatched cash and valuables to the tune of Rs106m, 32-tola gold, seven vehicles, 32 motorcycles and 957 mobile phones in at least 1,124 incidents.

The police also registered 885 incidents of burglaries at houses and commercial centres. Out of the total 885 incidents, the criminals stole cash and valuables worth Rs314m and 1,527-tola gold, two vehicles, 13 motorcycles, and 375 mobiles.

At least 1,849 thefts, were also registered by the police. At least 480 incidents targeted houses, 168 occurred at commercial centres, and 738 in public places.

According to the data, 181 thefts were committed by employees, including maids. In two incidents, suspects were impersonating state officials and one was committed by a policeman. In two incidents, victims were kidnapped. Cash and valuables to the tune of Rs705m, 1154.5 tolas of gold, five vehicles, 22 motorcycles, and 650 mobile phones were also stolen.

During the previous year, the police registered cases about the theft of 746 vehicles and 3,772 motorcycles. Out of the total number, the worth of 130 vehicles and 529 motorcycles was reported at Rs822m and Rs329m, respectively. A police official told Dawn that the average cost of a stolen vehicle was estimated at Rs1.4m, which meant the total cost of the stolen vehicles stood at Rs822m. On the other hand, the average cost of a stolen motorbike was estimated at Rs106,908 and the total cost added up to Rs403 million.

Police officials said that Mehran and Toyota made up the highest number of stolen vehicles whereas Honda 125 and Honda 70 were mostly stolen by the thieves.

Similarly, 4,335 mobile phones were either looted or stolen from the capital, the officials said, adding that Samsung and iPhone were mostly stolen by the criminals. The conservatively estimated worth of the 4,335 mobile phones is Rs130m.

The police said that the average cost of a mobile phone was Rs30,000.

The police spokesperson, as usual, remained unavailable for comments despite multiple attempts over the past two days.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024