Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 13, 2024 3:35 pm GMT
In a brazen act of crime, eight armed men disguised as law enforcement officials stormed a call center owned by a Chinese national in Islamabad, leading to a shocking robbery and a series of alarming events. The assailants made off with 130 laptops and furniture, and abducted one employee, extorting a hefty ransom for his release.
Details of the Incident
According to the police, the raid took place at a call center located in G-10/4, about two kilometers from the Ramna police station. The group, claiming to be from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), handcuffed staff member Zamad Khan, asserting there was a complaint against the establishment. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene where the armed men loaded stolen goods into their vehicles while threatening and assaulting Khan.
- What Happened:
– The gang, six of whom wore black uniforms, began by claiming they were law enforcement.
– They forcibly took Khan and loaded 130 laptops and furniture into their vehicles.
– Khan was subjected to physical abuse and demanded to arrange Rs15 million (approximately $53,000) for his safe release.
After more than eight hours, Khan was released but not before handing over Rs400,000 (about $1,400) to the robbers. He was given a phone number along with threats to arrange additional funds. Following his ordeal, Khan reported the incident, leading to a police investigation.
Police Response and Arrests
The authorities have registered a case at the Ramna police station under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including:
- Section 170: Personating a public servant.
- Section 171: Wearing a public servant’s garb with fraudulent intent.
- Section 342: Wrongful confinement.
- Section 420: Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
- Section 506(ii): Threat to cause death or grievous hurt.
The police initially categorized the incident as a case of fraud rather than a more severe crime like dacoity (robbery). They emphasized that the impersonation of officials was a key aspect of the crime.
A police officer confirmed: “We have arrested 14 suspects involved in this case and have recovered a portion of the stolen items.”
Another Attempted Robbery
In a related incident, another Chinese national and his assistant narrowly escaped an armed attack in Tarnol. While heading to a factory, their vehicle was intercepted by three men on a motorcycle, who opened fire. Fortunately, both individuals were unharmed, and the police have initiated a separate investigation into the attempted robbery.
- Incident Summary:
– The attack occurred on Jowbad Road.
– Both men were coming from G-15 to the factory when they were shot at.
– A police case has been registered under Section 393, which addresses attempted robbery.
Community and Business Impacts
These alarming events bring to light the growing concern regarding safety, especially for foreign nationals and businesses in Islamabad. The call center incident highlights the prevalence of deceptive crimes targeting individuals working in international firms, raising questions about security measures in place for expatriates in Pakistan.
The repercussions extend beyond immediate concerns. As foreign businesses watch these incidents unfold, confidence in local stability can waver, further complicating Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign investment and maintain a thriving economic environment.
Conclusion
The recent raid on the call center shows that there are still big security problems in the area. People want the authorities to act quickly and make changes to stop this from happening again. As the police work harder to investigate and think about adding more security, everyone hopes these scary events will lead to faster improvements to keep all residents and business owners safe, especially those from other countries. If the community stays alert and law enforcement works together, there is a chance for a safer future.
