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Pakistan soldiers raid and seal off MQM headquarters Pakistan soldiers raid and seal off MQM headquarters
(about 2 hours later)
Paramilitary troops in Pakistan have raided and sealed off the Karachi headquarters of the MQM, the biggest political party in the city. Security forces have raided the Karachi headquarters of Pakistan's fourth biggest political party, sparking street protests.
Soldiers recovered sophisticated weapons and detained a number of people wanted in criminal cases during the pre-dawn raid, Pakistan Rangers spokesman Col Tahir Mahmood said. Col Tahir Mahmood said troops acted on information that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was hiding criminals.
He called the two-hour raid a "purely information-based operation". A number of party workers suspected of murder were detained, he said, and illegal weapons were recovered.
The MQM has called a nationwide strike in protest against the search. The MQM has long been accused of using violence and intimidation to control Karachi - claims it denies.
Supporters and party activists are gathering outside the headquarters. The party's leader Altaf Hussain, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, is being investigated in the UK over money laundering allegations.
'Criminal elements' His arrest by UK police last year sparked protests in Karachi.
'Beyond understanding'
After Wednesday's early morning raid, supporters and activists gathered outside the MQM headquarters and party leaders called for a nationwide strike.
Speaking to Pakistan's Geo News, senior MQM figure Farooq Sattar said the operation was "inappropriate and beyond understanding".Speaking to Pakistan's Geo News, senior MQM figure Farooq Sattar said the operation was "inappropriate and beyond understanding".
"MQM has itself always maintained its policy of zero tolerance against crime and terrorism, and it has always offered to co-operate," he said."MQM has itself always maintained its policy of zero tolerance against crime and terrorism, and it has always offered to co-operate," he said.
The MQM says a number of its leaders, including senior leader Amir Khan, have been detained.The MQM says a number of its leaders, including senior leader Amir Khan, have been detained.
But Col Tahir disputed that, telling local media no MQM lawmaker had been arrested. But Col Tahir told local media Mr Khan had not been arrested, but was being held for questioning to explain "the presence of criminal elements".
He said Mr Khan was only being held for questioning to explain "the presence of criminal elements". Col Tahir said a large cache of weapons had been recovered, including illegal weapons that "cannot even be imported into Pakistan".
Col Tahir said a large cache of weapons had been recovered including illegal weapons. "We suspect that these weapons may be those from missing Nato containers," he said.
"We showed you the weapons. Some illegal weapons are those which cannot even be imported into Pakistan. We suspect that these weapons may be those from missing Nato containers," he said according to local media. Party officials said the weapons were held legally.
The MQM is often accused of extorting money from businesses in Karachi, charges the party denies. Party leader Altaf Hussain lives in self-imposed exile in London.