KARACHI, 5 August 2004 — Paramilitary Rangers arrested three activists of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement, the breakaway faction of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and recovered huge quantities of arms and ammunition from the eastern Landhi area of Karachi, it was announced yesterday. The three were suspected of being involved in ethnic and political violence in the port city. Director General Rangers Maj. Gen. Javed Zia told newsmen the arrested men were one from Karachi and two from Lahore.
The arms were recovered in two different raids conducted by the rangers, Zia said. The haul of 64 weapons included three light machine guns, 11 M16 rifles, three MP5 rifles, 19 sub-machine guns and 12-7MM rifles.
According to Zia, 18,000 rounds of various ammunition, 190 hand grenades, as well as telescopes and range finders, were also recovered. Infighting between the Haqiqi and MQM has claimed hundreds of lives over the years.
