KARACHI - At least nine suspects including two workers of a political party were arrested by the Rangers and police in various areas here on Sunday.

The Sindh Rangers conducted raids in different parts of the metropolis and nabbed five suspected criminals. According to sources, the Rangers carried out a raid in Buffer Zone and apprehended two suspects identified as Javed and Salman. The arrested persons are said to be affiliated with a political party and are involved in heinous crimes.

Police arrested two suspects from Maripur while a suspect was arrested in injured condition after police encounter in Kharadar. His accomplice managed to flee. The arrested accused is identified as Saleem and he is a gang war member. The two suspects were arrested from Liaquatabad while a robber was nabbed from Saeedabad and a child was injured from a bullet in Qasbah Colony. Seven injured in cylinder blast

At least seven members of a family, including women and children, were injured when a cylinder of a Suzuki hi-roof blew up during the refueling in the metropolis.

According to rescue sources, the fire broke when gas was being filled in the high-roof at a CNG station near BSEK Nazimabad. The wounded persons were identified as Shakir, Hassan, Jaan Islam, Shagufta, Faiza, Inamta and Nooruddin. They were shifted to Burns Ward of Civil Hospital Karach (CHK) for treatment. Three of the injured, including a woman, were in critical condition.

Meanwhile, a guard and a girl were injured in a fire that erupted at a house in Defense Phase 7. They were rushed to CHK where their health was stated to be out of danger.

Separately, a man died and one other injured in a road accident. According to rescue sources, a bike was hit by a fast-moving vehicle on a flyover in Aysha Manzil. As a result, a 20-year-old man, Qasim, died on the spot, while Ashiq, aged 28, sustained severe injuries. The body and injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities and treatment respectively.

Separately, Inspector General of Police Sindh, A.D. Khawaja called for intensifying crackdown against criminals especially against absconders, proclaimed offenders and those involved in heinous crimes. A police spokesman said here on Sunday that the IGP also directed that for the arrest of such criminals, information sharing and coordination on range to range and district to district be also ensured.

He stated that the IGP also sought details pertaining to the arrest of criminals in ongoing operation against criminals and under National Action Plan as well as headway in the cases registered so far. The IGP further directed that random snap checking at various points should be carried out on daily basis. He also made it clear that no dereliction of duty would be tolerated.

He directed the police officers to be punctual and ensure their presence in the office at 9am. According to the spokesman, the IGP, in a directive, also instructed the field officers to remain within their respective areas of jurisdiction.