KARACHI, Oct 15: The crime rate registered a decline during the current year as compared to last year due to what the police claimed its improved performance. According to police statistics, 221 gangs were eliminated in 320 police encounters till Oct 13 this year. During the period, 70 dacoits were killed and 512 were arrested while 14 police personnel lost their lives and 42 were injured.

The police recovered 64 SMGs, 39 rifles, 57 repeaters, 1861 pistols and 51 grenades from the accused.

Since April 29, the police eliminated nine gangs of dacoits, arrested 32 accused from whom it recovered 250 mobiles, 11 cars, 10 motorcycles, one truck, 78 pistols, three Kalashnikovs, three repeaters, seven revolvers and 540 rounds.

The special motorcycle squad of capital city police task force against mobile snatching, since its establishment on July 11, arrested 64 accused and recovered 107 mobile phones from them.

Since April 28, the motorcycle squad arrested 244 accused in 44 police encounters in which 10 accused were killed while 185 pistols, 60 mobile phones and 24 stolen vehicles were recovered.

Last year, 3024 cars were taken away from Jan 1, 2004 to Oct 13, 2004 while during the same period this year 2624 cars were snatched and stolen, showing a decline of 13 per cent. Similarly last year, 5344 motorcycles were taken away which declined to 3970 during the same period this year showing a decrease of 25.71 per cent. —APP