ISLAMABAD — Islamabad police have arrested 16 members of organized robbery and mobile snatching gangs, including a gang leader, during a major operation targeting rising street crime in the federal capital, officials said Sunday.
According to police spokesman SSP Operations Qazi Ali Raza, the suspects were involved in snatching expensive mobile phones from citizens, altering their IMEI numbers and selling the devices in Afghanistan through an organized smuggling network.
Police recovered dozens of stolen mobile phones worth millions of rupees, along with two motorcycles used in the crimes and five pistols with ammunition. The arrested suspects were wanted in at least 16 cases involving street robberies, shop robberies and other serious offenses in Islamabad, officials said.
Investigations revealed the gangs operated across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, carrying out multiple robberies before transferring stolen mobile phones abroad. Police said efforts are underway to arrest facilitators and remaining members of the networks.
Qazi Ali Raza said Islamabad police will deal strictly with criminals who deprive citizens of their valuable assets. He added that large-scale operations are ongoing against organized and active criminal gangs to ensure public safety and restore confidence among residents.
Police urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and report suspicious activity to help curb street crime in the capital.
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