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KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Thursday claimed to have arrested at least 17 suspected criminals from different areas of Karachi.
According to a statement released by Rangers spokesman, the paramilitary force conducted targeted raids in Ilyas Goth, Daud Goth, Bilal Colony, Kharadar and Lyari areas of the city and took 17 suspects into custody.
The statement further said the arrested men include gang war 'criminals' from Lyari and 'terrorists' belonging to banned outfits and that weapons were also recovered from them.
According to recently compiled figures, since September 5, 2013 when the federal government decided to launch the Rangers-led ‘targeted-operation’ in Karachi with the provincial government consent, the paramilitary force has conducted some 5,795 operations and apprehended 10,353 suspects that ranged from street criminals to terrorists.
Related: Indiscriminate targeted operation to continue at same pace: corps commander
A high-level apex committee meeting chaired by the Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on May 14, 2015 decided to implement effective policing and surveillance in the "vast suburbs of Karachi", to prevent what the military spokesperson said were "sneaking terrorist attacks".
The deployment of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in Karachi is requisitioned under Article 147 of the Constitution, and under Clause 1 of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, authorised to prevent the commission of terrorist acts, or scheduled offences in notified area for the punishment of terrorist in accordance with the provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Called in 1989 to assist the police in Karachi by the then PPP-led government amid a deteriorating law and order situation, the Rangers started enjoying more powers in 2009 — again extended by PPP-led governments both in the centre and the province, which allowed the force to search houses and arrest suspects without warrants.
