KARACHI – In what is being described as the largest heist in the city’s history, unidentified burglars looted gold and diamonds worth over Rs 300 million from a prominent jewelry shop in Orangi Town after breaking through a rear wall.
The Incident
The burglary took place at a well-known jewelry store located on the main road of Sector 11.5, Iqbal Market, within the jurisdiction of the District West police. According to the shop owner, Ayub Khan, the establishment was closed as usual on Thursday night, February 12. The crime was discovered on Saturday morning, February 14, when workers arrived to find several jewelry boxes empty.
The Losses
Upon inspection, it was revealed that the culprits had tunneled through the back wall of the shop. The stolen valuables included more than 606 tolas of gold (approximately 7,064 grams) valued at over Rs 300 million, diamonds worth more than Rs 2.5 million, and various jewelry items belonging to customers that had been left for repair or polishing.
CCTV Footage Reveals Method
CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the burglars’ calculated approach. The footage shows a lean suspect initially trying to enter through a small hole in the back wall head-first but getting stuck. After widening the hole, the suspect entered feet-first. The burglar had his face covered with cloth and immediately placed a cloth over the security camera, indicating prior knowledge of the shop’s layout.
Police Action and Government Response
An FIR (No. 26/41) has been registered at the Iqbal Market Police Station. Following the massive theft, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has taken notice, seeking a detailed report from SSP West. The Minister has ordered the formation of special teams to apprehend the culprits and recover the looted wealth. He emphasized the use of forensic evidence and technical surveillance, while also directing authorities to tighten security across all major jewelry markets and commercial hubs in the city.
