2,422 criminals arrested, 11 killed in 122 encounters in Karachi operation
ISLAMABAD: Law enforcement agencies arrested 2,422 criminals during 1870 raids from September 6 to 24 in the ongoing federal government assisted targetted operation in Karachi.
According to latest Interior Ministry figures, 11 criminals were killed during 122 encounters with Rangers and police in the three week operation.
While during the operation on September 24-25, the law enforcement agencies arrested Nadeem Shah, a suspected target killer, Qayyum Bhatti a suspected bhatta collector and Kashif another suspected bhatta collector.
The suspects admitted that they have political affiliations. Law and order situation in Karachi is a two decade old festering issue and is one of the main challenges for the PML-N government formed after general elections on May 11.
Green signal for the targetted operation was given in a special federal cabinet meet chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sahrif in Karachi on September 4.
The government is satisfied that the number of target killings in Karachi has substantially decreased since start of the campaign but it understands that days ahead could be difficult.
The matter of concern for the government is that since the start of the operation in Karachi, over 250 terrorists had entered North Waziristan in small groups.
"The terrorists in Karachi are on the run and they will find no place to hide and will be brought to justice," Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told members of National Assembly last week.
Karachi operation has broad political support as all parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement favoured launch of the operation.
The Interior Minister has told the National Assembly that the first phase of the Karachi operation is about to end and the second and third phases would be harsher.
During operation from September 6 to 24, the law enforcement agencies have conducted raids in areas of Millennium Mall, Drig Road, Shah Faisal Town, Karnal Basti, Old Sabzi Mandi, Gulshan e Iqbal, Phool Pati Lane, Aman Park, Lyari Town, Jamaat Khana Kharadar, Zia Colony, Korangi Town, Baldia Town, Raja Tanveer Colony, Jamshed Town, Gaddap Town and some other areas.
During the operation, nine criminals were arrested for acts of terrorism, 22 for extortion, 13 for involvement in kidnapping for ransom, 204 for robberies, 542 for illegal possession of arms and ammunition and 403 nabbed for narcotics possession.
The law enforcement agencies arrested 85 proclaimed offenders, 506 absconders and 641 for crimes of other nature.
During raids, the law enforcement agencies recovered 10 kalashnikovs, 678 pistols, revolvers and mousers, 23 rifles, 27 shortguns and repeaters, 27 bombs, 2515 grams of heroin, 109484 grams of charas and 564 bottles of wine.
902 personnel performed duties on static picketing, 55 personnel were deployed for foot patrolling, 312 personnel for motorcycle patrolling and 1832 were on mobile patrolling.
2,422 criminals arrested, 11 killed in 122 encounters in Karachi operation