KARACHI: Police on Sunday arrested four 'target killers' who they claimed were affiliated with a political party, and reportedly involved in the killing of political rivals.

The suspects were arrested from the Preedy area after a brief encounter with police personnel.

Several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the arrested suspects.

Police asserted that the arrested suspects were involved in target killing, snatching the hides of sacrificial animals and extortion.

In a separate incident, a police van was attacked with a rocket launcher in Sohrab Goth today. Security forces retaliated and killed three suspects who were allegedly linked to a banned organisation.

The crackdown against criminals has stepped up in Karachi with the focus shifting to those suspects who have taken shelter within political parties or are part of their militant wings.

Rangers arrest 22 suspects

Separately, Rangers personnel conducted raids in several areas of the provincial capital and arrested at least 22 suspects including alleged target killers, extortionists, those involved in Lyari's gang war, and banned militant organisations.

A Rangers spokesperson said that targeted operations were carried out in Agra Taj Colony, Soldier Bazaar, Bihar Colony, Malwari Parah, Liaqatabad Northern Bypass, Pirabad and Shah Faisal areas.

The spokesman added that weapons, ammunition and jihadi literature had also been recovered from the arrested suspects.

Today's developments comes amid accelerated efforts to clear the city of criminal elements, following the approval of the National Action Plan against terrorism. Targeted operations have been taking place in the metropolis since a joint grand targeted operation was launched with great fanfare in September 2013 in the hopes of improving the law and order situation.