KECH: More than 15 armed men looted Rs220.5 million from two private security cash vans in Balochistan’s Kech district on Tuesday in what officials described as one of the province’s largest robberies.
Deputy Commissioner Kech, Major (retd) Bashir Ahmed Badich, confirmed the incident but refrained from sharing further details. Another district administration official told Urdu News that the heist occurred on the M-8 highway near Dasht Khadan Cross, about 60 kilometres from Turbat.
The assailants, travelling in four vehicles and motorcycles, intercepted the bulletproof vans operated by SOS, a private security firm. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the robbers overpowered the convoy, seized the guards’ firearms and transferred over 20 bags of cash into their own vehicles before fleeing. Witnesses said the attackers spoke in the local Balochi language.
A security company employee, requesting anonymity, said the money had been collected from Meezan Bank and Bank Alfalah branches in Turbat. It was being transported to Karachi when the convoy was ambushed. According to officials, Meezan Bank’s share amounted to Rs1.455 million, while Bank Alfalah’s was over Rs750 million. Eight guards accompanied the vans, but the robbers snatched six of their guns during the heist.
“The attackers told the guards this was government money and demanded they hand it over or be killed,” a security official said.
Security forces have launched an investigation, recording statements from guards and reviewing CCTV footage from the vans. Officials suspect banned Baloch militant groups could be behind the robbery, though no group has so far claimed responsibility.
Read More: No more free water tankers: Karachi commissioner scraps DC quota
Kech, which borders Iran, Panjgur, Awaran and Gwadar, is considered one of the most sensitive districts of Balochistan. Militants in the region are frequently blamed for attacks on security forces, while incidents of bank robberies have also increased.
In May this year, Rs25.2m was stolen from a private bank branch in Turbat’s main market.
Following the latest heist, SOS has suspended cash transfer services in Kech, raising concerns that banking operations across Balochistan could face severe disruption.
