n October 24, a bunch of robbers who had made away with gold and cash worth Rs 15 million from a house in DHA, Lahore, grabbed headlines. As per the house mates, the robbers used wireless sets and gadgets that disrupted the mobile networks and isolated the family from the world outside.

Reportedly, the heist was carried out in only about eight minutes.

The victims claimed that the robbers were highly tech-savvy. They had jamming devices on them. The police say that they have yet to verify this bit.

Commenting on social media, various people have questioned the effectiveness of the signal-jamming devices used in the heist. They said that sophisticated jammers capable of blocking residential internet and mobile networks required close proximity and compatibility with specific systems.

By the time of filing this story, the police investigation was still under way. The investigation is led by a specialised team that includes DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar; SP Investigation (Cantonment) Bushra Jameel; DIG Organised Crime Imran Kishwar; and ASP Shehrbano Naqvi. None of these officials was willing to share comments at this stage.

Traditionally, burglary involves muscle power and weapons. However, as residents in posh localities increasingly turn to advanced security solutions such as alarm systems, CCTVs and motion sensors, the robbers too seem to be adopting technology to overcome these defences. Hence, the term ‘smart’ robbery, in which jammers or other high-end gadgets are involved that can alter the crime-scene evidences and pose additional challenges for the investigating teams.

The abovementioned incident followed a failed break-in attempt by five unidentified armed men on October 12 at another place in DHA. Reportedly, the robbers left behind a signal-jamming device after they couldn’t break the door, alerting a security guard and a gardener. A formal complaint was filed by the homeowner, Dr Faisal Hanif, who claimed that the suspects had arrived in a white Honda Civic with a fake registration plate. The police registered a case of attempted robbery under Section 393 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

As residents in posh localities increasingly turn to advanced security solutions such as alarm systems, CCTVs and motion sensors, the robbers seem to be adopting technology to overcome these defences.

While Dr Hanif’s family narrowly avoided harm, Mubashar Ahmed’s household was not that fortunate. According to Ahmed, a gang of five broke into their home in DHA at around midnight, when one of the family members had just parked their car in the garage. Seeing the gate open, the five men allegedly slipped in, using devices that blocked the phone and internet signals, rendering all communication channels inoperable.

Ahmed told the reporters that an armed man “pointed a pistol at my brother as soon as he stepped out of his car.” Four others jumped in, armed with pistols and rifles. They took the entire family hostage, holding them in the kitchen and living area and warned them against any resistance. They fled with gold jewellery worth Rs 8.75 million; a collection of watches valued at approximately Rs 1.3 million; and Rs 3.5 million in cash.

The robbery was executed with alarming speed and precision, said Ahmed. Before leaving, the robbers took car keys and some other valuables and locked the family in a room.

Describing the appearance of the robbers, Ahmed said they looked like they were from the northern areas. They were aged between 30 and 60. One of them was coordinating with some accomplices over a walkie-talkie.

According to DIG Kishwar, the robbers fled in a white Honda Civic, the vehicle that might have been used in three similar incidents. The police chased the gang in vain. The robbers broke through the barriers and escaped onto the motorway. Checkpoints were set up along potential escape routes across Islamabad, Sargodha and Faisalabad, but the robbers managed to evade capture.

DIG Kishwar stated that the Organised Crime Unit was actively pursuing the gang, with the Punjab Police coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Dera Ismail Khan which the suspects are believed to have connections with. He was confident that the robbers would soon be apprehended.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship