Police recover Rs200m, arrest alleged mastermind in Karachi cash van robbery

KARACHI: Police in Karachi said on Tuesday they had arrested the alleged mastermind of a Rs300 million cash van robbery in the city’s Central district and recovered Rs200 million in what officials described as a major development in the case.

Speaking at a press conference with SSP Central, DIG West Irfan Baloch said the main suspect, Muhammad Ali, also known as Ali Langra, was the ringleader of what police described as a highly organised inter-provincial gang allegedly linked to numerous bank-related robberies in several major cities across Pakistan.

According to police, the robbery took place on June 12, 2026, within the limits of the Joharabad police station, when a private security company’s cash van carrying Rs300 million was attacked. Officials said a special investigation team was constituted immediately after the incident to identify and trace those involved.

Investigation and recovery

Police said the inquiry first led to the arrest of Wajid, described as an insider who was part of the security team assigned to the cash transfer. Officials said his interrogation helped investigators identify the wider network allegedly behind the robbery.

During a raid, police recovered Rs200 million in cash and also seized vehicles said to have been used in the crime, including a Vigo pickup and a Pixis car. Officials said the money was found hidden at two separate houses belonging to the main suspect.

DIG West said the arrested man had planned the robbery and acted as the Karachi-based head of the gang, while other members were operating in different parts of the country. Police said some suspects remained at large and that a portion of the stolen amount had yet to be recovered.

Gang’s alleged reach

Police said the group had more than a dozen members and had links to different regions, including Swat and Parachinar. Investigators believe the gang was involved in bank heists carried out over several years in Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta and Multan.

Officials further said the suspects used multiple number plates on the vehicles involved in the robbery and fled through katcha routes towards Balochistan in an apparent effort to avoid detection.