KARACHI, Dec 17: Police raided several places in areas dominated by the Mohajir Qaumi Movement on Tuesday and picked up more than 35 party activists, party sources said.

Police, however, denied raids and arrest of activists of the MQM-H. A senior police officer said they did not pick up workers of the MQM-H.

A spokesman for the MQM (Haqiqi) claimed that police cordoned off various areas in Landhi-Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony and other localities to arrest party activists.

He maintained that the operation against the MQM-H had been intensified after the arrest of MQM-H MPA Younus Khan. He said the MQM-H was facing state oppression at the behest of their rival, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The spokesman said no leader or known party figure was among those picked up by police on Tuesday. All those arrested were workers or activists, he added.

He said so far police had picked up more than 1,000 workers, including leaders, of the party since the operation began about a month back.

Police raided the residence of MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed in Landhi on Monday night on a tip-off that he was there. Police searched his house and neighbouring houses but did not find him.