Stolen Phones Smuggled to Afghanistan — Police Arrest 16 Gang Members

Islamabad Capital Territory Police’s Robbery and Dacoity Unit arrested 16 members of organized criminal gangs, including their ringleader, for involvement in mobile phone snatching, IMEI tampering, and smuggling stolen devices to Afghanistan.

Arrests were made during a major operation conducted on the special directives of the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. The action was part of an indiscriminate crackdown against criminal elements operating in the federal capital.

Crimes Across Islamabad and Rawalpindi

The spokesperson said the accused were involved in snatching high-value mobile phones from citizens in various areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. After altering the IMEI numbers, the stolen devices were smuggled across the border for illegal sale.

شہریوں سے قیمتی موبائل فون چھین کر IMEI تبدیل کر کے فروخت کرنے والے منظم گروہ کے 16 ارکان گینگ لیڈر سمیت گرفتار ۔

اسلام اباد پولیس رابری ڈکیتی یونٹ نے گرفتار ملزمان کے قبضہ سےچھینے گئے لاکھوں روپے مالیت کےقیمتی موبائل فونز، موٹرسائیکل برآمد کر لئے۔

ملزمان سے وارداتوں میں… pic.twitter.com/YswWt8jh1d

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) January 19, 2026

Recoveries and Case Details

During the operation, police recovered stolen mobile phones worth millions of rupees, two motorcycles used in the crimes, and five pistols along with ammunition from the suspects. Islamabad Police were already seeking the accused in at least 16 cases related to street robbery, dacoity, and other serious offences.

According to the spokesperson, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple crimes in the twin cities and selling the snatched mobile phones in Afghanistan. Police are continuing efforts to identify and arrest other facilitators and accomplices linked to the gangs.

SSP Operations Qazi Ali Raza said indiscriminate action against criminals who deprive citizens of their hard-earned assets will continue without discrimination. He added that the ICT Police are carrying out large-scale operations against organised and active gangs and will persist until the federal capital is made a secure and peaceful place for citizens.