Crackdown on criminals intensitified

Karachi: Law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on outlaws and criminals before the next hearing of the Supreme Court due on Thursday, the deadline for the law enforcer to eliminate ‘no go areas’ in different parts of the city.

Dozens of suspects, including Taliban militants, were arrested in the raids on Tuesday morning which went on until late afternoon.

Paramilitary rangers sealed Qasba Colony to begin the search operation. 700 soldiers and officers including women took part in the operation along with sniffer dogs.

Sources said that at least 20 suspects were rounded up during the operation and interrogation was ongoing. They also recovered 20 different assault weapons.

The rangers demolished the barriers on the streets which were installed by the residents under the pretext of their protection.

Helicopters helped in aerial surveillance.

Overnight, the rangers also carried operation at Nasir Jump, Korangi Dhai Number, and Noorani Basti and took many suspects in custody.

The police carried out its operation against the outlaws in Lasbela where one of its checkposts was attacked killing a policeman. The police arrested at least eight suspects after a shootout in which one of the suspects was injured.

The police called reinforcement and entered into residential areas of Lasbela to find the suspects of the overnight attack on the police post.

Media reports said that rangers with the support of intelligence agencies raided the Super Highway and arrested a Taliban commander who belonged to the militant wing.

The number of killings daily in Karachi has come down. However, on Tuesday four people were gunned down whereas another was injured in different parts of the city.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) said one of its team raided in Quidabad and arrested two alleged outlaws who were wanted in attacks on at least 10 policemen.

A pistol, a hand and a rocket grenade were recovered from the accused. Both were involved in criminal activities and extortion. They would pose themselves as Taliban, a senior CID officer said.