Unidentified robbers had their worst nightmare when a hotel owner took out his gun in his defence in Karachi. They nearly jumped out of their skin and had only one thing to say: for God’s sake, don’t open fire at us.

The February 24 incident made headlines after its video went viral on social media. It occurred in the city’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

The owner was named Daulat Agha. He can be seen in the video preparing for self-defence when three robbers started entering his hotel after dismounting from the bike. Two of them were holding guns and covered their faces.

Customers were seen hiding below the table and getting down as both sides pointed their guns at each other. No loss of life was reported.

Police have claimed to have arrested one of the suspects and a complaint for the incident has also been registered.

The incident occurred in the morning, Agha told Aaj News. He added that one of the robbers was on alert while two of his accomplices tried to loot the people.

“I told him that we are alert more than you,” he said and warned them against doing anything. “When he saw my loaded gun he pleaded that please don’t shoot. I told them to leave now.”

In the recent past, Karachi has seen an increase in street crimes. Inspector General of Police Riffat Mukhtar told newly elected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah that armed robbers had killed as many as 23 citizens in Karachi during January and February.

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He added that a total of 3,953 mobile phones were snatched at gunpoint, as many as 46 cars and 1,537 motorbikes were taken away by criminals from different parts of the city during the same period.

According to the IGP, there were 25,000 vacant posts of policemen in the province.

Agha’s hotel remains 24 hours open. “We tell people in Karachi to keep themselves safe whether the shopkeeper is rich or not. It is better to ensure your safety.”