PESHAWAR: Peshawar Police on Tuesday claimed to have busted an organised and notorious criminal gang involved in high-profile bank robberies, the tragic murder of a security guard, and the martyrdom of a brave police officer. The group was wanted by the police in over 12 FIRs lodged at different police stations.
Addressing a news conference about the significant developments, the Chief Capital Police Officer, Mian Saeed Khan, said that the gang was responsible for the January 20, 2026, bloody robbery at a private bank on Kohat Road within the jurisdiction of the Inqelab Police Station, where a watchman was killed. They were also behind the March 6, 2026, multi-crore rupee bank robbery attempt at Pir Bala Chowk on Warsak Road, during which Additional SHO Bihar Ali fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom while foiling the heist.
CCPO asserted that following these serious incidents, Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Zulfiqar Hameed took strict notice and ordered the formation of a high-level special investigation team. This team, comprising SSP Operations Farhan Khan, SSP Investigation Ayesha Gul, SP Muhammad Arshad Khan, SP Fida Hussain, and concerned SDPs, SHOs, and investigation officers, was tasked with tracking down the culprits.
“The special teams launched a comprehensive, multi-faceted probe utilising modern scientific and technical investigative methods with the crucial assistance of the Safe City Project. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement personnel conducted numerous targeted raids across various areas of Peshawar, Charsadda district, and the Tirah and Bara regions of Khyber district, while also interrogating several suspects,” CCPO said and adds the breakthrough came last night when police received actionable intelligence regarding the presence of armed men on the Northern Bypass within the limits of the Machni Gate police station, who were planning to commit another serious crime.
He emphasised that, while acting swiftly and strategically, the police cordoned off the area and successfully apprehended three dangerous members of the gang, though three other suspects managed to escape the scene on a motorcycle.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Muhammad Shoaib, son of Yousuf Khan and a resident of Bara, Khyber district; Muhammad Umar alias Wajahat, son of Roman Khan and a resident of Badhabir Salman Khel; and Muhammad Imad, son of Merajul Haq, a resident of Atmanzai, Charsadda, currently residing at Safia Home.
Criminal record checks revealed that the apprehended individuals are wanted in a string of serious cases across multiple police stations. Specifically, Muhammad Shoaib is wanted in Michni gate Peshawar Gate Police Station Case No. 197 (dated 06-03-2026) under sections 302, 324, 353, 427, 455, 397, 411, 34, 7ATA, and 15AA; Inqelab Police Station Case No. 60 (dated 20-01-2026) under sections 302, 404, and 34; Regi Police Station Case No. 776 (dated 10-12-2025) under section 392; and Badaber Police Station Cases No. 356 (dated 10-03-2026) under section 381A and No. 515 (dated 09-04-2026) under section 392.
Similarly, the second suspect, Muhammad Umar alias Wajahat, is wanted in Michni Gate Police Station Case No. 197 (dated 06-03-2026) under sections 302, 324, 353, 427, 455, 397, 411, 34, 7ATA, and 15AA; Regi Police Station Case No. 303 (dated 01-04-2026) under section 381A; and Badh Bir Police Station Case No. 515 (dated 09-04-2026) under section 392.
The third arrested suspect, Muhammad Imad, is wanted in Machni Gate Police Station Case No. 197 (dated 06-03-2026) under sections 302, 324, 353, 427, 455, 397, 411, 34, 7ATA, and 15AA; Inqelab Police Station Case No. 60 (dated 20-01-2026) under sections 302, 404, and 34; Regi Police Station Case No. 303 (dated 01-04-2026) under section 381A; and Badhabir Police Station Case No. 515 (dated 09-04-2026) under section 392. While the arrested accused are undergoing rigorous further interrogation, police teams are actively conducting raids at various suspected locations to apprehend the remaining absconding suspects.
