KARACHI, Sept 8: Dozens of suspects were rounded up for their suspected involvement in targeted killings and 149 weapons with a big cache of ammunition seized during raids conducted in different parts of the city, Pakistan Rangers claimed on Thursday night.

The raids were carried out at Yousaf Plaza of Federal B Area, Pehalwan Goth, the Banaras flyover area, Sohrab Goth and Ranghar Para of Baldia Town, said Colonel Shafeeq Niazi while speaking at a press conference at the temporary headquarters of the paramilitary force.

The colonel said that arms and ammunition were recovered during raids at some residences and the offices of some political parties. He,  however, declined to mention the name of the parties whose offices were raided.

The colonel also claimed arresting some “important target killers” in the raids but refused to disclose their names.

He told the media that some miscreants used women and children as human shields during and after the search operations. He requested media people to stay at a safe distance from the places being raided.

Earlier on Thursday morning, women and children had staged a protest demonstration on Shahrah-i-Pakistan after the Rangers carried out the raid at Yousaf Plaza.

SIU arrests

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of police on Thursday claimed to have arrested “an important target killer” associated with a political party along with three other suspects.

Sanaullah alias Charya, wanted in 35 cases, was earlier arrested by police in 1996, said SSP Raja Umar Khattab.

However, he said, the suspect served a sentence for five years and was acquitted in all cases under the National Reconciliation Ordinance in 2008.

Only a few weeks back, it was reported in a section of the press that Sanaullah alias Charya had been picked up by the Rangers in Shah Faisal Colony.

The SSP identified the three other suspects arrested on Thursday as Mohammad Qasim alias Bhaloo, Imran Rafiq and Sohail Ali.

The police also claimed to have seized an AK-47 rifle and three pistols found in the possession of the suspects. They were arrested in Liaquatabad B Area and Nursery bus stop, the police said.