File photo

KARACHI: Law enforcement officials conducted a major search operation in the metropolis late Monday night, rounding up more than 50 suspects, Superintendent of Police (SP) ? City Division, Shehla Qureshi, said.

The operation, aimed to catch illegal residents and criminals, was carried out in the jurisdiction of City Division's eight police stations and included Garden, Eidgah, Napier, Nabi Bakhsh, and surrounding areas, the police official explained, adding that entry and exit points were sealed during the process.

Raids in various areas

Fugitive suspect Azeem was taken into custody during an operation conducted in Baldia's Ittehad Town, police officers said.

Azeem, the arrestee, already has a case of burglary registered against him in the Ittehad Town police station, security officials added.

During an operation carried out in Nazimabad here late Monday night, three drug-sellers, including a foreigner, were detained, police stated.

Cases under the Foreign Act and Drug Act have been respectively registered against the suspects, from whom cash and contraband were recovered, security officials mentioned.

In addition, two other suspects were taken into custody during a search operation conducted in Karimabad, SP Gulberg Bashir Brohi said, explaining that the arrestees allegedly belong to an inter-provincial bike-stealing group.

The suspects reportedly used to sell the stolen vehicles in Balochistan, the police official added.

While tools to break car locks were found in the suspects' possession, police expect to recover additional bikes and cars from them as well, Brohi highlighted.

State-owned vehicle found

A state-owned vehicle, which was stolen two days ago, has finally been found.

Police explained the vehicle ? stolen from the Frere police station's jurisdiction ? was recovered from Malir's Model Colony area.

Afghan caught

Police during a search in Baldia Town No. 2 late Monday night arrested an Afghan citizen residing illegally in the area.

A case has been filed against the Afghan citizen as per the Foreign Act, police disclosed.

Water tanker accident

On the other hand, a water tanker overturned on Sarki Road in Quetta on Monday night, crushing two bikes underneath it, rescue sources said.

Five people, including a little girl, came under the water tanker and were left injured. The wounded were subsequently transferred to a local hospital, rescue officials stated.

Freight-train bogie derailment

One bogie of a freight train en route from Punjab to Karachi derailed near Sukkur, causing hindrances in rail traffic, rescue officers said. The down track was consequently closed off and a rescue train was sent off for aid.

Cellular tower blast

A blast occurred near a cellular network tower in Sariab, Quetta, late Monday night.

However, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the blast, on the other hand, was not determined as of reporting time.