KARACHI, Dec 30: Inspector General Police (Sindh) Sultan Babar Salahuddin Khattak has said 37 suspected terrorists involved in various crimes were arrested this year.

Speaking at a press briefing on the performance of the police over the year 2008, the IG Khattak said crime had fallen drastically due to the efforts of the police. He provided journalists present at the conference with figures for comparison of crime statistics over the last six months for the incidence of kidnapping for ransom, house robbery, highway robbery, bank robbery, vehicle snatching and street crimes. The figures provided showed a declining trend in major types of crimes, namely kidnapping for ransom, highway robbery and street crimes.

Flanked by the Capital City Police Officer and other senior officials, the IG said 56 policemen had been killed and 176 injured in 2,577 encounters during the calendar year. He said 538 criminal gangs were busted, 173 dacoits eliminated and 9,891 dacoits/criminals arrested. Further, 1,694 proclaimed offenders, 33,063 absconders and 318 Patharidars were arrested, while 573 submachine guns, 317 rifles, 1,089 shotguns/repeaters, 7,646 pistols/revolvers, 112 hand grenades/rocket launchers and 63,127 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

He said the Sindh police had disrupted the activities of four terrorist groups during 2008, averting major suicide bombings in the city. He added that six members of jihadi organisations were killed, and 37 were arrested in encounters.

A substantial number of high explosives, including 28 detonators, 40 hand grenades, 32 sophisticated arms, 38 rockets, 5 suicide jackets and 12 live bombs were also seized, he said.

Regarding self-regulation, he said 1,204 officials, including 39 Inspectors, 138 Sub Inspectors, 139 Assistant Sub Inspectors and 888 Head Constables/PCs were given major punishments, including removal from service, while 1,093 were given minor punishment. Moreover, criminal/police order cases were registered against 76 personnel, including 3 Inspectors, 10 SIs, 10 ASIs and 53 HCS/PCS. He asserted that no major suicide bombing or attacks on foreigners were reported this year.—Agencies