Knock knock: Robbers hold family hostage, steal their gold

PESHAWAR: Six men pretending to be policemen knocked on the door of a house in Sharifabad on Monday night and held the residents hostage. According to the police, the men told the women of the house that they were ordered to search the premises. As soon as they stepped inside they held the women and children at gunpoint. The men stole 27 tolas of gold along with Rs1.2 million in cash and three cellphones. When they were done, they escaped and left the women and children locked in a room. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Bhanamari police station. The police have registered an FIR and started investigation. Less than 24 hours before this incident, around two dozen armed men, some dressed in military uniforms, entered Malik Sharafat’s house in Masho Khel and told the family they were conducting an operation. They tried to get the residents to leave with them at gunpoint, however, some family members resisted. In the ensuing clash, Amjad Khan, Shafarat and his son Sajid were shot dead. Three others luckily managed to escape. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2014.