PUBG task led British national to rob Lahore bank

Police recover vehicle allegedly used in South Cantt bank robbery Police claimed to have arrested a British national allegedly involved in the robbery of a bank in Lahore's South Cantt area and recovered Rs426,000, two pistols and a 12-bore rifle from his possession, officials said on Friday. The suspect, identified as Subhan Ali, was arrested after investigators traced his movements through Safe City cameras, according to Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Faisal Kamran. Police said Ali allegedly robbed the bank of Rs726,000 and took two weapons belonging to security guards during the incident. The recovered cash was stated by police to be part of the amount allegedly taken from the bank. The suspect was arrested from a house where police said he had gone after the robbery. A white Honda Civic RS Turbo allegedly used in the incident was also recovered. According to police, its registration number had been concealed with black paint. Speaking at a press conference at Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh, DIG Faisal said the suspect entered the bank at around 9:19am and remained there for approximately nine minutes before leaving. Police said the suspect had planned to flee to Islamabad after the robbery and had rented a vehicle for the purpose, paying its owner Rs300,000. According to the DIG, Ali arrived in Pakistan from Britain on September 16 following a dispute with his parents. He had previously visited Pakistan in April. Police said he had spent six years working as a taxi driver in Scotland. During questioning, Ali allegedly told investigators that he had been looking for money after spending around £1,200 he had brought from Britain. Police said he had already identified the bank near Ghazi Road as a potential target because of its location and the availability of parking near his home. Police also alleged that the suspect had purchased a pistol from Sialkot for Rs45,000 in April and obtained ammunition from the Thokar area for Rs20,000. Investigators are examining the alleged supply of illegal weapons and seeking to identify anyone who may have facilitated their purchase. A police account of the investigation also linked the alleged robbery to the online game PUBG. According to police sources, Ali allegedly followed a robbery-related task or instructions in the game, including wearing clothing and a mask similar to those described in the game. Police further claimed that after the robbery, the suspect returned to his under-construction house, placed the stolen money on a table and resumed playing the game. Investigators said he also changed the vehicle's registration plates before continuing to play. According to the police account, officers tracking his movements through Safe City cameras eventually reached the house, where they found him with a pistol, the allegedly stolen cash and a briefcase. Police said the suspect had no previous criminal record. South Cantt police have registered a case and seized the alleged weapons, vehicle, cash and other material as part of the investigation.