Crime

Burqa-Clad Thief Who Stole Rs11.7 Million From Lahore Shop Caught by CCTV

The burqa clad thief Lahore case took a dramatic turn when CCTV footage showed the culprit was the shop's own employee. Police arrested Hasnain Ali and recovered Rs11.75 million.

Burqa-Clad Thief Who Stole Rs11.7 Million From Lahore Shop Caught by CCTV
Credit: Verified Pakistan. Editorial news photo

Lahore police have arrested a thief who walked into a shop wearing a burqa and walked out with Rs11.7 million. The case unfolded on October 5, 2026, in the Baghbanpura area of the city.

The suspect chose his disguise carefully. A burqa concealed his face, his build and his identity from everyone around.

But one thing gave him away. Burqa clad thief Lahore: CCTV footage revealed the thief was the shop's own employee, Hasnain Ali.

Police recovered Rs11.75 million from the suspect after the arrest. The case is now being called a textbook inside job.

The Daring Theft in Baghbanpura

The incident took place at a paan shop near Daroghawala Chowk in Baghbanpura. It was an ordinary working day until the shopkeeper discovered the cash was gone.

A figure in a burqa had entered the shop and stolen Rs11.7 million. The disguise worked perfectly in the moment, and nobody suspected a thing.

The stunned shopkeeper called police emergency helpline 15 as soon as he found out. Officers reached the scene quickly and began their inquiry.

Helpline 15 is Punjab's frontline emergency number. A fast response in the first hour often decides whether stolen cash is recovered.

At first, there were no obvious leads. The thief had left no name, no face and no trace that anyone could see.

The sheer size of the amount made the case a priority. Losing Rs11.7 million in one stroke could ruin a small business.

CCTV Footage Exposes an Inside Job

Investigators turned to the shop's CCTV cameras for answers. The footage told a story nobody had expected.

The cameras showed the burqa-clad figure moving with unusual familiarity inside the shop. He knew exactly where the cash was kept.

Police studied the suspect's walk, build and movements frame by frame. The disguise hid the face, but it could not hide everything.

The trail led to a shocking conclusion. The thief was not a stranger at all, but an employee of the very same shop.

DIG Operations Lahore confirmed the findings publicly. The suspect, Hasnain Ali, had used the burqa only to conceal his identity during the theft.

Police say the plan was simple but bold. Walk in unrecognised, grab the cash, walk out and disappear.

What the suspect did not count on was the camera above the counter. One recording undid weeks of planning in a single viewing.

Arrest and Recovery of Rs11.75 Million

Once identified, Hasnain Ali was traced and arrested without delay. Police moved fast to prevent him from hiding or spending the money.

Officers recovered Rs11.75 million from the arrested suspect. The amount was slightly higher than the Rs11.7 million first reported stolen.

The suspect was handed over to the Investigation Wing for further proceedings. Police say more recoveries and revelations may follow as the probe continues.

The case highlights how quickly technology solves crimes that once seemed perfect. A single camera turned an unsolvable mystery into an open-and-shut case.

For the shopkeeper, the recovery brought enormous relief. His business, which had stared at ruin, now has its money back.

Police Advice: Register Your Employees' Data

DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran used the case to send a wider message. He urged citizens to register data of their domestic and business employees.

The registration can be done at the nearest police station or Khidmat Markaz. It takes little time but can prove decisive when a crime occurs.

Kamran said precaution plays a key role in protecting citizens and their property. Knowing who works for you is the first line of defence.

Employee-related thefts are more common than many realise. Workers know the layout, the routines and exactly where valuables are kept.

Police believe mandatory registration would deter many such inside jobs. A registered employee knows the police can find him within hours.

Khidmat Markaz centres were set up to make such registrations easy. Citizens can walk in and record employee details without lengthy paperwork.

The Baghbanpura case may push more shopkeepers to act. A few minutes of registration today can save millions tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the Lahore burqa thief case?

On October 5, 2026, a burqa-clad thief stole Rs11.7 million from a paan shop near Daroghawala Chowk in Baghbanpura, Lahore. The shopkeeper called police helpline 15 after discovering the theft. CCTV footage later exposed the thief as the shop's own employee.

Who was the burqa-clad thief?

The suspect was identified as Hasnain Ali, an employee of the same paan shop he robbed. He wore a burqa to conceal his identity during the theft. Police confirmed his identity after analysing CCTV footage of the incident.

How was the thief caught?

Investigators examined the shop's CCTV footage, which showed the suspect moving with clear familiarity inside the premises. His walk, build and knowledge of where the cash was kept gave him away. Police then traced and arrested Hasnain Ali.

How much money was recovered?

Police recovered Rs11.75 million from the arrested suspect. The amount was slightly more than the Rs11.7 million initially reported stolen. He was handed over to the Investigation Wing for further investigation.

What did police advise shopkeepers?

DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran urged citizens to register their domestic and business employees' data at the nearest police station or Khidmat Markaz. He said precaution is key to protecting people and their property from inside jobs like this one.

What happens next for crime

We will keep this page updated as the story develops rather than publishing a near-duplicate at a new address. Follow Crime for related coverage.

lahore crimeburqa thiefbaghbanpurahasnain alilahore policecctv footageshop robberydig operationskhidmat markazemployee theftdaroghawala chowkpunjab police

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