n October 24, a bunch of robbers who made away with gold and cash worth Rs 15 million from a house in DHA, Lahore grabbed the headlines. According to the housemates, the thieves used wireless sets and gadgets that disrupted mobile networks and isolated the family from the outside world.

The heist was apparently carried out in just about eight minutes.

The victims claimed the thieves were very tech savvy. They had jamming devices on them. Police say they have yet to verify that bit.

Commenting on social media, various people questioned the effectiveness of the signal jamming devices used in the robbery. They said sophisticated jammers capable of jamming residential Internet and mobile networks require proximity and compatibility with specific systems.

At the time of filing this story, the police investigation was still ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by a specialized team that includes DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar; Investigation SP (Cantonment) Bushra Jameel; DIG Organized Crime Imran Kishwar; and ASP Shehrbano Naqvi. None of those officials were willing to share comments at this stage.

Traditionally, burglary involves brawn and guns. However, as residents of posh locales increasingly turn to advanced security solutions such as alarm systems, CCTVs and motion sensors, thieves appear to be adopting technology to overcome these defences. Hence the term “smart” robbery, where jammers or other high-tech gadgets are involved that can alter crime scene evidence and pose additional challenges to investigative teams.

The aforementioned incident followed a failed burglary attempt by five unidentified armed men on October 12 at another place in DHA. The robbers reportedly left a signal jamming device behind after failing to break down the door, alerting a security guard and a gardener. An official complaint was filed by the home’s owner, Dr. Faisal Hanif, who claimed the suspects arrived in a white Honda Civic with a fake number plate. Police have registered a case of attempted robbery under Section 393 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

As residents of posh towns increasingly turn to advanced security solutions such as alarm systems, CCTVs and motion sensors, thieves appear to be adopting technology to overcome these defences.

While Dr Hanif’s family narrowly avoided harm, Mubashar Ahmed’s family was not so lucky. According to Ahmed, a gang of five broke into their house in DHA around midnight when one of the family members had just parked his car in the garage. Seeing the gate open, the five men allegedly slipped in, using devices that jammed phone and internet signals, rendering all communication channels inoperable.

Ahmed told reporters that a gunman “pointed a gun at my brother as soon as he got out of the car.” Four others jumped in, armed with pistols and rifles. They took the whole family hostage, keeping them in the kitchen and living room and warned them against any resistance. They absconded with gold jewelery worth Rs 8.75 crore; a collection of watches valued at around Rs 1.3 million; and Rs 3.5 million in cash.

The robbery was executed with alarming speed and precision, Ahmed said. Before leaving, the robbers took the car keys and other valuables and locked the family in a room.

Describing the appearance of the robbers, Ahmed said they looked like they were from northern areas. They were between 30 and 60 years old. One of them was coordinating with accomplices on a walkie-talkie.

According to DIG Kishwar, the thieves fled in a white Honda Civic, the vehicle that could have been used in three similar incidents. The police chased the gang to no avail. The robbers broke the barriers and escaped on the highway. Checkpoints were set up along potential escape routes through Islamabad, Sargodha and Faisalabad, but the thieves managed to evade capture.

DIG Kishwar said the Organized Crime Unit is actively tracking the gang, with the Punjab Police coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Dera Ismail Khan, with whom the suspects are believed to have links. He was confident that the thieves would be caught soon.

The writer is a media veteran with interests in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship