By Riaz Narijo
DADU: Sehwan’s sacred precincts were shaken on Tuesday when pickpockets targeted devotees at the Golden Gate of the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, making off with three mobile phones, local police reported.
The incident, which unfolded amid the bustling flow of pilgrims, quickly turned violent when those present attempted to apprehend one of the suspects. According to officials, the suspect’s accomplices, believed to operate as part of a coordinated pickpocketing gang, attacked the devotees with sharp-edged weapons in a bid to rescue their companion.
The confrontation left one devotee and a bystander injured, and in the confusion, the apprehended suspect managed to escape. Emergency services promptly transported the wounded to a nearby hospital for medical care. Police confirmed that a search operation had been launched to locate the escaped suspect and his associates.
Investigations into the incident were ongoing, with authorities reviewing witness statements and available surveillance footage to identify the gang members and prevent further attacks. The incident has raised concerns about security arrangements at one of Sindh’s most frequented religious sites, where devotees gather daily in large numbers.
Shrine officials and local law enforcement have been urged to enhance surveillance and patrolling to protect pilgrims and ensure that the sanctity of the site is maintained. Authorities reassured the public that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the attack.
