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Pakistan Force Raids Party HQ In Karachi


A paramilitary soldier displays weapons recovered during a raid on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) political party's headquarters in Karachi on March 11.
A paramilitary soldier displays weapons recovered during a raid on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) political party's headquarters in Karachi on March 11.

Officials say a Pakistani paramilitary force has raided the headquarters of a major political party in Karachi and arrested suspects in several crimes including the killing of a journalist.

The Sindh Rangers conducted the raid on the headquarters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the violent southern port city of 18 million, where it has great political power, on March 11.

Colonel Tahir Mehmood of the Rangers told media the raid, during which weapons were seized, was not politically motivated.

He said it was prompted by news that several wanted men were at the headquarters, including one sentenced to death in absentia for the killing of a television reporter in 2011.

MQM politician Aminul Haque told Reuters news agency that Rangers "opened fire, killing one of our workers" and wounding a TV cameraman.

Haque said any weapons at the MQM headquarters were properly licensed.

Karachi is home to militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban, and many political parties there have armed wings to fight turf wars.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
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