The Karachi police arrested nine suspects during a raid on the Qadri House in Karachi on Saturday night, including three wanted criminals, a senior official said on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, SSP Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Imran Khan said the operation was carried out on the basis of intelligence reports and technical evidence against an extortion network allegedly run by Wasiullah Lakho and Abdul Samad Kathiawari.

The SSP SIU said the operation was a joint effort between the SIU and District Central Police, following the formation of a special team by the Additional Inspector General Karachi last week.

He said the suspects were part of a dangerous and highly wanted extortion gang.

He said the raid was conducted following the information provided by Rehanuddin, a previously arrested suspect who had spent four years in jail in an extortion case.

According to SSP Imran Khan, three extortionists and three shooters were arrested during the operation, and a large cache of weapons was recovered.

Heavy weapons, including G-3 rifles, submachine guns, and pistols, were recovered during the operation.

The suspects were also found to be involved in shooting incidents linked to extortion demands at a car showroom on Jamshed Road.

He said that among the detained suspects, eight were found to have prior criminal records, while background checks of the remaining individuals are currently underway.

Ten cases have been registered against the arrested suspects on charges of extortion and possession of illegal weapons.

The SSP said further investigations and legal proceedings are underway, expressing hope that the arrests would help curb extortion activities in the city.