KARACHI: A total of 55 suspects were arrested on Thursday during targeted operations in different areas of the city conducted by police forces and Rangers personnel, DawnNews reported.

The police and Rapid Response Forces arrested 18 suspects in a targeted operation near Central Jail.

The operation was carried out in order to arrest criminals, along with suspects who had been involved in a prior smoke grenade attack on the central jail. Three drug peddlers were also arrested after the police raided a drug den in Pak Colony and confiscated their weapons and drugs.

Moreover, after fierce fighting in Lyari's Baghdadi area, police captured Shaukat "Cheema", the accomplice of one of the Lyari Gang War Leaders, Sheraz Comrade. They also confiscated weapons from the suspect.

Two days prior to the arrest, Cheema had shot dead a police officer.

According to police sources, the suspect has admitted killing more than 15 people during the initial stages of the investigation. They say he was involved in extortion along with other serious crimes. Further investigation is taking place.

In another operation, CID police arrested a suspect, Shahid Bukuk, who was involved in the murder of PPP Leader, Bilal Shaikh, along with six others involved in the Lyari Gang War from the Super Highway.

According to the police, the six suspects were trying to escape the city when they were captured.

Furthermore, Rangers arrested 26 suspects by conducting targeted operations in different areas of the city. Targeted operations were carried out in Awami Colony, Nishtar Road, Green Town, Lyari, Teen Hati, Chanesar Goth along with several other areas.

The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed location to carry out investigations.

Drugs and weapons were also confiscated from the suspects during the operation.

Karachi is the financial hub of the southern province of Pakistan, and is besieged by extortion, kidnappings, and terror attacks. It is presently undergoing a targeted operation to rid the metropolis of such elements and restore it to its former peaceful state.