KARACHI: At least nine people were killed on Thursday in separate incidents of violence in different areas of Karachi.

Four bullet-ridden bodies were recovered from two spots on the banks of the Lyari River near the Lyari expressway behind Old Vegetable Market area.

Rescue teams reached the site and shifted the bodies to a morgue. The identities of the deceased persons could not be ascertained.

Another two bodies were found in two different areas of Korangi locality.

One of the bodies bore marks of torture.

Police claimed to have killed two persons who attacked a police van in Pirabad area of Karachi. Police sources said that the two suspects were involved in sectarian target killings.

In another incident, a suspected robber was killed in a police encounter on Mauripur road.

Police officials say the accused had wounded a citizen for offering resistance during a mugging incident. The officials added that a handgun and bullets were also recovered from the suspect.

At least four people were injured in a gun-firing incident near Hussaini Chowk in Korangi Industrial Area's Bilal Colony. The clash occurred during a quarrel over a personal enmity.

Liaquatabad Division police claimed the arrest of 15 suspects, including five alleged members of an outlawed organisation. Police sources added that grenades, weapons and ammunition were recovered from the arrested men.

Nabi Bakhsh police claimed to have arrested a member of a political party who was allegedly involved in four incidents of target killings.

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.