ISLAMABAD: Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) of Islamabad police has arrested 52 persons, after busting 22 criminal gangs during the current year, and recovered 114 stolen vehicles as well as 23 motorbikes from them worth Rs77.3 million.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Sajid Kiani said that all efforts were being made to curb crime in the city and ensure the protection of the lives and property of the citizens. He said that ACLC recovered 114 vehicles and 23 motorbikes during 2017, and nabbed 124 car lifters whose challans were submitted to courts after completing the investigation on 224 cases.
He said that extra vigilance of ACLC brought more success as it also recovered 10.8 kg drugs, 106 wine bottles, 95 cans of beer and four 30 bore pistols. The vehicles worth Rs77.3 million were recovered while five proclaimed offenders and three court absconders were also arrested, he added.
Sajid Kiani went on to say that most of the recovered vehicles included Corolla, Mehran, Honda, Khyber, Suzuki pickups, Coure and double cabins. The SSP said that efforts of ACLC had brought a great reduction in car lifting incidents, and its staff had also sacrificed their lives to curb vehicle theft.
He said that several ACLC policemen got injured in police encounters and their services would be remembered forever.
He further stated that car and bike lifting incidents were at a peak in 2014 as 766 vehicles and 442 motorbikes were lifted in that year. He added that accelerated efforts were being made to control this crime and ensure greater recovery, as 76 vehicles and 16 bikes were recovered in 2015, and 90 vehicles and 10 bikes in 2016.
The SSP said that ACLC was working efficiently under the supervision of SP (Investigation) Zeeshan Haider and recovery rate of vehicles by Islamabad police was higher than any other district. He added that Islamabad Inspector General of Police Sultan Azam Temuri would be recommended for special prizes and commendation certificates for ACLC officials for good performance.
Sajid Kiani handed over keys of 40 stolen vehicles and eight bikes to their actual owners and said that efforts were being made to trace the remaining owners of vehicles and bikes. On the occasion, senior officials of Islamabad police, notable citizens, owners of vehicles, and media representatives were also present.
