KARACHI, Nov 28: In what was described as a crackdown on activists of the Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, believed to be a reincarnation of the proscribed Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, in certain parts of the city, several dozen people were picked up by the law-enforcers in overnight raids.

A spokesman for ASWJ, Maulana Taj Hanafi, claimed that at least 170 of their workers had been picked by law-enforcement agencies personnel in the raids in different parts of the city.

Police raided a place in Shah Faisal Colony late on Sunday night and picked up several suspects said to be members of the outfit.

Similarly, Rangers picked up several suspects in Siddiq-i-Akbar mosque at Nagan Chowrangi, the spokesman said.

As many as 70 workers had been picked up by Rangers and police in a mosque at Numaish on Sunday night following the killing of the two scouts earlier on Sunday evening, he added.

Similarly, around 100 activists were picked up in different parts of the city during the nightlong raids, Maulana Hanafi claimed.

Police claimed three weapons were seized from the suspects.

The ASWJ spokesman said during the crackdown their activists had been picked up in Shershah, Mehmoodabad, Landhi, Korangi, Bilal Colony, Rasheedabad, Baldia Town, Orangi Town and Jubilee Market.

The spokesman distanced his party from the Sunday evening firing in which two scouts were killed, saying that ASWJ had nothing to do with the attack on the Muharram-related camp.

“The government is looking for an excuse to crush us as an organised force. Actually they have become frightened by the successful rally held by ASWJ on Sunday,” Maulana Hanafi said.