KARACHI - Karachi police on Sunday claimed to have arrested more than 1,140 suspects during crackdown against street criminals, drug dealers and fugitives to curb crime in the city.

Police arrested a total of more than 1,140 suspects during raids in Karachi’s East, West and South Zones last week. Police recovered 120kg hashish, 3kg and 904 gram heroin and 1,579 gram crystal ice from the possession of drug dealers during the anti-drug drive. More than 157 different types of illegal weapons along with ammunition and 3 grenades used in looting and other incidents were seized from the arrested street criminals, the police said in a statement. 

During the anti-crime operations in the city, 7 encounters were held with the accused. One dacoit was killed and 12 dacoits including 11 injured were arrested in the exchange of fire while five snatched and stolen motorcycles and 11 pistols were recovered from the arrested accused.

The police officials said that police constable Shabbir Ahmad Shah was martyred in a confrontation with the accused in East district on Saturday while the police killed the fleeing accused during a search operation. The search for the other two accomplices of the slain accused is underway.

East district arrested two suspects in the June 11 robbery of a private university professor and seized the weapons used in the murder.

During operations in different areas of the city, the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) arrested 14 car/motorcycle lifters and recovered 9 snatched/stolen motorcycles and 1 vehicle. Karachi police conducted operations in different areas and seized a total of 83 snatched and stolen motorcycles and 1 vehicle.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Karachi arrested 5 accused involved in serious crimes and seized 5 pistols. The Karachi police vowed to continue efforts for the elimination of terrorism, restoration of law and order and protection of the people.