KOHAT, May 24 Police claimed to have arrested 38 suspected militants during a search operation and defused a powerful remote controlled bomb on Sunday.

Police said that Rescue 15 received a call that a suspicious box was lying near the police post on Shindand road.

The bomb disposal squad was dispatched to the area, which found a 15 kilograms heavy remote controlled bomb in the box.

The explosive device was later defused.

Meanwhile, police arrested 38 suspects including a car-lifter and recovered weapons and ammunition from their possession during a search operation in the district.

The seizure included five Kalashnikovs, two Sten guns, three 12 bore repeaters, seven rifles, nine shotguns, 12 pistols, 522 cartridges and five kilograms of hashish.

The respective police station registered case against the accused, who were being interrogated by a special investigation cell.