Investigators have uncovered an Islamabad police robbery gang linked to three serving officers. The gang allegedly robbed Chinese nationals of around Rs. 8 million in the federal capital. Officials uncovered the plot while investigating a robbery at a house in G-10/4 on September 13.

Five armed men carried out the heist, and one wore a police uniform. They first overpowered two security guards at the main gate. One suspect then stayed at the gate, while the others forced the guards inside at gunpoint.

The men introduced themselves as government officials. Additionally, they took two Chinese nationals, their cook, a translator, and the guards hostage. They also threatened to shoot anyone who resisted and confined all six people to a single room.

Two gang members guarded the hostages throughout. Meanwhile, the rest searched the house and grabbed roughly Rs. 8 million in cash. Before fleeing, the suspects also took the home’s digital video recorder.

Police then registered a case under Sections 395, 170, and 171 of the Pakistan Penal Code. These sections cover dacoity, impersonating a public servant, and fraudulently wearing a public servant’s uniform. Investigators traced the suspects using CCTV footage, and their movements eventually led police to a police installation.

That lead ultimately helped identify the three officers involved. Police detained all three, and during questioning, they named their accomplices. Officers then arrested those accomplices as well.

The investigation also revealed that a tip had triggered the robbery. However, police have not yet identified who provided that tip. Furthermore, investigators found that Islamabad Police’s Special Protection Unit, created specifically to guard Chinese nationals, had not deployed at the residence as required. Instead, the Chinese nationals had hired security guards from a private company.