In a disturbing incident in Karachi, a group of armed robbers established a checkpoint on the Shah Faisal Colony—Korangi bridge, causing widespread alarm among local residents after footage of the event emerged. Eyewitnesses reported that between 12 and 15 heavily armed individuals blocked the bridge, forcibly robbing commuters at gunpoint.
The assailants were reportedly equipped with Kalashnikov rifles and other advanced firearms. Those who resisted faced brutal violence. Locals explained that the gang had set up barricades on the bridge to halt vehicles before carrying out their robberies. It was suggested that the group operates from a nearby settlement, which enables them to evade capture swiftly after the attacks.
Meanwhile, police offered a contrasting version of the event. Officials stated that three suspects tried to stop a car late at night, but the driver escaped by driving against traffic, causing panic and a traffic jam. Law enforcement arrived quickly and resorted to aerial firing, yet the suspects managed to flee. Authorities also noted that no official robbery complaint has been filed to date.
This episode has intensified fears about the rising street crime in Karachi, prompting residents to call for urgent measures to enhance security in the area.
In a related development, a recent report highlighted a surge in vehicle thefts across Karachi during March 2026. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) documented 3,624 cases of vehicle theft and snatching citywide, including 157 cars and 3,467 motorcycles. Of these, 3,027 motorcycles were stolen outright, while 440 were snatched at gunpoint.
The report also revealed that 1,265 mobile phones were stolen in the same period. Additionally, 140 cars were reported stolen and 17 were snatched at gunpoint. The month also saw 44 murders, six extortion cases, and one kidnapping for ransom, underscoring the escalating crime challenges in Karachi.
