KARACHI, Dec 10: In early morning raids in Mehmoodabad and Pak Colony areas on Monday, Rangers personnel rounded up 24 suspects, including 17 belonging to a political party, and seized arms, ammunition, an improvised explosive device, a snatched car and drugs, according to a statement issued by the paramilitary force.

The seven-hour-long Mehmoodabad operation was followed by a violent protest by residents who placed burning tyres on roads and chanted slogans against the Rangers personnel.

It was around 5am when the Rangers, accompanied by women personnel, entered Mehmoodabad No 1 and 2 after sealing off exit and entry points of the neighbourhood.

The paramilitary force carried out a house-to-house search in KDA Colony and Water Board Colony. During the search, as many as 17 men associated with a political party including an office-bearer of the party were picked up.

The operation continued for seven hours during which 26 pistols, five MP-5 rifles, two 8MM rifles, two repeaters, one 222 rifle, 952 bullets, an improvised explosive device (IED), a snatched car and other stuff were seized, according to a Rangers spokesman.

Following the search, area people took to the streets and chanted slogans against the Rangers personnel. They claimed that all the weapons were licensed and the detentions made by the Rangers were uncalled for. They blocked traffic by torching tyres on roads. Finally, the area police reached the scene. They negotiated with the protesters and managed to disperse the crowd.

During the Pak Colony operation by the paramilitary force, seven suspects were picked up.

Two hand grenades, one 9mm pistol, two pistols and 25 kilos of charas was seized during the raid.