Karachi: Police have arrested three wanted men and 17 suspects after several raids ahead of Shiite mourning processions.
The operation came amid strict security measures by Islamabad that ordered the shutting down of mobile phone and wireless services in 53 cities and towns across the country to prevent any sabotage during the processions.
The Shiites were mourning the death of Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) grandson along with his 72 family members, relatives and companions.
Karachi, Lahore and Quetta were among the major cities that were targeted and had their telecommunications suspended from Thursday morning till late in the evening.
The services were also suspended in Waziristaan, Gilgit and several towns and cities of Azad Kashmir.
Rehman Malik, the interior minister, said that there were intelligence reports that terrorists could carry out attacks on the processions and mobile phones could be used to detonate explosive devices.
In the Karachi raids, which police say were successful because of the disrupted communication, officers arrested three extremists from the Kanwari colony, which is said to be a hotbed for the Taliban and other militants.
The police did not disclose the identities of the suspects but said the men were wanted for various crimes.
Raids were also carried in Orangi Town, Metro Ville and Frontier Colony, while, with the support of the Rapid Response Force, police also made arrests in Abbas Town.
Police said they were confident that the questioning of the suspects would lead to further arrests.
Earlier this week, militants detonated a remote improvised explosive device (IED) as people were leaving a rally of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for Maulanta Tahirul Qadri, a cleric turned politician.
Four men were killed and more than 40 injured in the blast.
