KARACHI: Some 31,336 alleged criminals have so far been arrested in several targeted operations conducted by police and Rangers personnel since the Karachi operation was launched, states a report on the law and order situation in Karachi during the past few months.

The report was presented by acting Inspector General Sindh Police Hyder Jamali on Thursday during a high-level meeting of officials from law enforcement agencies.

Jamali chaired the meeting which also looked at the efficiency of the ongoing operation in Karachi that has been under way for the past 10 months.

According to the report, during the 1,627 police encounters, some 1,586 suspected of involvement in dacoity, 336 suspected extortionists, 83 'kidnappers', 7,155 fugitives and 590 wanted in murder cases were arrested. The forces also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the possession of the arrested which includes, 1026 explosive materials, 264 arms and ammunition and a huge quantity of drugs and narcotics.

Forces had also managed to seize 643 hand grenades, 3LMG, 186 sub-machine guns (SMGs), 7201 pistols, 116 rifles and 125 shot guns from the possession of all those arrested, the report said.

Some 392 suspected of criminal activity were killed in encounters that occurred in the metropolis during the stipulated time period.

Also today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived in Karachi and will be using his visit to evaluate the law and order situation in the city.

Karachi, the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, is riddled with targeted killings, gang wars, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism.

Targeted operations led by Rangers’ forces with the support of police are ongoing in the city under a directive issued by the federal government against criminals already identified by federal, military and civilian agencies.