https://arab.news/mw3w5

If a gangster shoots a rocket launcher in the forest and no one is around to see it, did it really happen?

Well, the infamous dacoits that infest the forested riverine and ‘kacha’ areas of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province would think not. They make sure that everyone sees their displays of weaponry and wealth as they take to social media to advertise their exploits.

Case in point: Recently a video circulated of a large group of dacoits firing an array of sophisticated automatic weapons into the wild. One of their comrades steps into the frame brandishing a rocket propelled grenade launcher, takes aim and fires it into the forest. There’s an explosion. Everyone cheers. The video ends.

In other clips you even see the dacoits performing their own version of community outreach, with local children invited to fire machine guns and small arms while other children run around excitedly collecting empty cartridges.

These clickbait criminals are as much about advertisement and recruitment as they are about intimidation; the local police are considerably less well-armed and effectively outgunned by them or terrified of retaliation. As for the few brave cops who do take a stand or conduct raids on the dacoits’ homes and hideouts, WhatsApp videos are circulated warning them by name and promising retaliation. These aren’t idle threats.

For robberies and kidnappings for ransom, social media platforms such as Facebook are increasingly being used to lure in victims. The tactics are simple and effective:........

© Arab News Pakistan