PESHAWAR: Two spare parts dealers from Peshawar have alleged that 13 armed men robbed their shop in the Shoba Bazaar’s Natak Market of goods worth over Rs100 million, Rs600,000 in cash and two mobile phones, and accused local police officials of protecting the suspects.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Fazal Subhan and Qasim Subhan, sons of Badakhshan and residents of Khushal Town in the Jhangara area, appealed to the chief capital city police officer (CCPO) to take personal notice of the case and ensure the arrest of the accused.

Fazal Subhan said he was present at the shop with his two sons at around 2pm on Friday when 13 armed men allegedly stormed the premises. He identified Israr Ahmad, son of Sher Muhammad, a resident of Guldara Kakshal, and Bakht Muhammad, son of Abdul Hameed, a resident of Doranpur, as the men leading the group.

He alleged that the suspects took spare parts worth more than Rs100 million, Rs600,000 in cash and two mobile phones from his son Hamza. The goods were loaded into a Ford van in the presence of people in the market, he added, claiming that records of the stolen merchandise were available.

The complainants said they contacted Khan Raziq Shaheed Police Station and called the police emergency helpline 15, but the police arrived after a considerable delay and inspected the shop at around 8pm.

They further alleged that the name of one of the suspected robbers, identified as Habib, was omitted from the first information report (FIR), despite being nominated by them. They claimed that CCTV footage and other evidence had been provided to the police, but the suspects had yet to be arrested.

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The traders accused DSP Shahenshah Khan and some other police personnel of providing protection to the alleged robbers. These allegations were made by the complainants during the press conference and have not been independently verified.

Qasim Khan also alleged that the complainants were called to the police station and made to sit with people who had no connection with the case. He claimed they were pressured into placing their thumb impressions on documents and being filmed to facilitate the release of individuals unrelated to the robbery.

The traders further alleged that Israr Ahmad had previously threatened their father and demanded Rs4.1 million in extortion money through alleged associates on October 10. They said threats had also been made against the lives of their brothers and that a report had been registered at Yakatoot Police Station.

The complainants urged the CCPO to investigate the case, include all nominated suspects in the FIR, arrest those responsible and recover their stolen property, saying the robbery had deprived them of their lifetime savings.