PESHAWAR: At least 98 suspects, including five Afghan nationals, were detained during joint search operations conducted by police and security forces’ personnel in Peshawar on Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

According to police, operations were carried out in civilian areas of the city, namely Gulberg and Nauthia.

During the raids, 98 suspects, including five Afghan nationals, were taken into custody.

A huge quantity of arms was recovered from the suspects’ possession during the raids, police said.

In order to maintain peace and tranquility in the city during the month of Muharram, operations would be carried out on a regular basis, police added.

Earlier last month, police had stepped up combing efforts on the outskirts of Peshawar, following reports of terrorists’ entry into the provincial capital city for targeting upcoming Muharram processions and gatherings.

Peshawar’s Capital City Police Officer Ijaz Ahmed Khan told Dawn.com that a joint sting operation of police, Army and Frontier Corps had started in the city as there was ample information available on terrorists seeking entry to conduct possible attacks.

Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lies on the edge of Pakistan's tribal areas which have been labelled by Washington as the main sanctuary for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in the country.

The city has seen frequent attacks by militants in the past few years, with targets ranging from civilians to policemen and other law enforcement personnel.