Police in Karachi have arrested eight suspects, including a serving excise inspector, in connection with a short-term kidnapping for ransom case, officials said on Thursday.
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According to investigators, the gang allegedly abducted a citizen and later secured a ransom of Rs150,000 for his release. The arrests were made during an operation conducted by the East Zone’s Brigade Police after a targeted investigation into multiple similar incidents reported in the city.
Authorities said the group was part of a highly organised network involved in short-term kidnappings for ransom, a crime trend that has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies in recent months.
The suspects reportedly used police uniforms during their operations to mislead victims and reduce suspicion. During the raid, four of the arrested individuals, including the excise inspector identified as Inspector Hamid, were found wearing official uniforms at the time of their detention.
Police also recovered four pistols and a vehicle allegedly used in the criminal activities. Officials said the group had previously been involved in several kidnapping incidents and had extorted money from multiple victims across different areas of the city.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Inspector Hamid, Irfan, Shahzaib, Shehryar, Amir, Afaq, Jamshed, and Zain. Cases have been registered against all individuals, and further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the gang’s activities and possible links to other criminal networks.
Law enforcement officials said a trap was set to apprehend the suspects after credible intelligence was gathered about their movements.
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The case has raised fresh concerns about the misuse of official uniforms and potential insider involvement in criminal activities, prompting calls for stricter oversight within enforcement departments. Police say further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.