KARACHI - Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday that the search operation conducted in different parts of Lyari was part of a continuous drive against the criminal elements in the city. Speaking to the media, federal minister said a search operation was being conducted in different areas of the provincial metropolis including Lyari to hunt down criminals. He said during the search operation a large cache of weapons was recovered from Lyari apart from nabbing over hundred suspects. His remarks came shortly after the press conference by the former senior Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza wherein Mirza had strongly critcised the operation in Lyari and had termed Malik a 'pathological liar and a hazard for Pakistan. To a question about Dr Mirza, he said he was his younger brother, and if the former minister had any proof of his allegations against him, he should produce them. The interior minister said that action in Lyari was being taken on the order of the prime minister, president and the Sindh Chief Minister. He added that indiscriminate action based on 'real-time intelligence was being taken in Karachi. Malik said law enforcement agencies had carried out operation in various areas including Katti Pahari, Pak Colony, Shah Faisal Colony and other areas. The interior minister also talked about his meeting with the business community on Saturday and their woes relating to the bhatta mafia in the city, especially in the areas such as Nazimabad and Sher Shah. He said over hundred suspects were arrested on Sunday from Allama Iqbal Colony, Zehri Para, Dhobi Ghat, Usmanabad and Jinnahbad. Malik reiterated that action will continue against these miscreants until the end of target killings and criminal activities. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies during its operation in 25 per cent areas of Lyari, unearthed two torture cells, detained 133 suspects and recovered huge cache of weapons here on Sunday. According to reports, heavy contingents of law enforcers rushed to the stronghold of ruling Pakistan People Party (PPP) despite reservations of key party leaders and agitation and protest from Lyari residents. Lyari, the most notorious town located in the neighbourhood of the downtown of the countrys commercial hub, has a history of gang war and extortion mafia. Rangers have conducted operation in few areas of Lyari where law enforcers were unsuccessful to even get inside on the first day of the operation started last week because of the intense resistance by residents of Lyari and PPP leaders. Law enforcers had carried out operation earlier in different areas including Kati Pahari, Gulistan-e-Juhar, Malir, Orangi, Old Sabzimandi and other areas. The surgical operation was launched after a week of brutal killings started soon after the arrival of five bodies in Lyari. Over 50 people were abducted and killed in retaliation to the killing of five Lyari residents and claimed more than 100 lives in a week of ethnic violence. Despite the various party leaders of ruling PPP and protest by Lyari residents, Rangers conducted operation in different areas of Lyari and picked up over 100 suspects allegedly involved in criminal activities. Rangers personnel also found two torture cells from Lyari during the operation and also recovered huge cache of weapons. The operation began on early Sunday morning and continued for at least seven hours. A heavy contingent of Rangers including Anti-Terrorists Squad had cordoned off the entrance and exit points and restricted the residents movements. Residents of the area when contacted, said operation was conducted in few areas of Lyari including Baghadai, Nayabad, Khadda Market and few areas of Kalri limits. Residents said the strongholds of Lyari gangsters, including Chakiwara, Miranaka, Kalakot, Kalri and some other areas remained out of the approach of law enforcers. Rangers seized two torture cells located in the Liaquat Colony where instruments like chairs, chains, knives, ropes and weapons were being used for torture. Sources said the torture cells were located in Nayabad locality of Lyari. One torture cell was located underground while ther was at the first floor of an occupied building equipped with all necessary instruments. Earlier, the people of Lyari on Sunday took to the streets to protest the search operation carried out by the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies. They resisted the operation by burning tyres and blocking roads in the area. Rangers spokesman Major Zaman when contacted said the operation had been conducted on credible intelligence reports and uncovered two torture cells where victims were tortured and killed after abduction. He said the drive would continue in different areas of the city including Lyari. He said Rangers picked up 133 suspects and also recovered 110 weapons of different natures including hand-grenades, machine guns and others. Operation is being carried out by Sachal Rangers. Brig Waseem Ayub who is heading the drive visited the area with media persons and briefed them about the details of the operation.