Unknown thieves broke into the Shakti Mata Temple in Shikarpur district and stole gold ornaments, cash, antique artefacts and other valuables, police and temple officials said. The Shakti Mata Temple theft took place within the limits of the Stuart Gunj police station, where the suspects allegedly broke the temple's locks to get inside. Officials said the stolen property is worth millions of rupees, but no exact total for the cash or the number of ornaments has been given.
What was taken from the temple
According to temple officials, the thieves took gold ornaments that had been offered to the idols, including a gold chain from the neck of one idol. They also broke open a safe and removed the cash kept inside, which included donations from devotees. Antique artefacts, crockery and other valuables kept in two cupboards inside the temple were reportedly taken as well.
Temple custodian Poon Kumar said the missing items included gold, cash and antiques of considerable value. He added that some of the cash and supplies had been set aside for people in need, so the loss affects more than the temple's own property.
Police response and investigation
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Kaleem took serious notice of the incident, a police spokesperson said, and asked ASP City Muhammad Asif for an initial report. The SSP, the district's senior police officer, directed officers to investigate from all possible angles and to arrest the suspects early, with the help of modern technology. Temple management has separately called on police to arrest those responsible and recover the stolen property.
The SSP also stressed that protecting citizens' lives and property, along with safeguarding religious places, remains a top priority for Shikarpur Police. He called for an effective investigation and prompt action so that those responsible are brought to justice.
What happens next
The reports available do not say whether any arrests have been made or whether any items have been recovered. Until police announce progress, the full extent of the loss in the Shakti Mata Temple case remains unclear. Shikarpur is a district in Sindh province, in Pakistan's south, and further details may emerge as the investigation moves forward.
