KARACHI, Oct 5: Rangers on Saturday claimed to have arrested more than 25 suspects including two activists of a political party in Azizabad and said to be involved in politically motivated killings.

A spokesman for the Rangers said that raids were carried out in more than half a dozen city areas in the early hours of the day that also led to the recovery of illicit weapons.

“Pakistan Rangers, Sindh conducted an intelligence-driven joint targeted raid in the Azizabad area last night and arrested two notorious targeted killers affiliated with a political group,” said the Rangers spokesman.

He did not name the political party.

“The arrested targeted killers have disclosed to have carried out numerous politically motivated killings.”

During the raid in Azizabad, the spokesperson said, five sub-machine guns, four rifles, shotguns, 12 pistols, hand grenades, bullet-proof jackets and large quantity of mixed ammunition were also recovered.

The paramilitary soldiers also carried out raids in Khori Garden, Shershah, New Karachi, Hussainabad, Hyderi, Dawood Regency, Gadap, Micasa Centre, Machhar Colony, Baldia Town, Malir, Khokhrapar and Liaquatabad.

“Snap-checking was also carried out in the Kala Board, Jodia Bazaar and Burnes Road areas,” he said. “During the actions 27 hardened criminals, including Lyari gang warfare elements, targeted killers affiliated with political groups involved in heinous crimes have been arrested.”

Meanwhile, the city police also claimed to have arrested an alleged hit man associated with a political party, who they said killed a prayer leader in Korangi.

SSP-South Munir Sheikh said the suspect, Rafiq Rajput alias Rangarh, was arrested by the Mahmoodabad police. He was allegedly involved in the killing of Qari Muhammad Ameen near Korangi Crossing a few months back.

“He was associated with a group called the Imran Shikra group which is tasked with killing different people by a political party,” he told a press conference. “The suspect has disclosed to have killed at least six people on political grounds. The police have also seized two TT pistols from his possession.”

He said the police also arrested four suspected bandits in two different areas after brief encounters.

The suspected bandits — Arif, Zahid and Javed — were arrested by the Boat Basin police, while another robbery suspect, Muhammad Hussain alias Furqan, was arrested by the Clifton police.