KARACHl: The Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, on Monday claimed to have arrested six activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) allegedly involved in extortion and targeted killings and said they had found in their possession arms and ammunition.

A statement issued by the paramilitary force said the `surgical action` in Ranchhore Line led to the arrest of six activists associated with different units of the party`s organisational structure who were identified as Khurram alias Muchhar, Mahmood, Shahid alias Kala, Mobin, Zubair alias Handi and Kashif alias Machha.

`Mahmood, an active worker of MQM Unit-20, who is currently on bail after being arrested in November 2014, has confessed during interrogation to having committed 47 murders, kidnappings and torture,` said the statement.

`Khurram alias Muchhar is a close associate of the target killer and in-charge of MOM`s Unit-28, Akhlas, and is involved in extortion, dumping of weapons and targeted killings. Shahid alias Kala is active worker of MQM Unit-31 who was earlier arrested in September 2014. Currently on bail he has confessed to having committed six murders during initial interrogation,` it said.

The Rangers levelled a similar set of allegations against the other three and, in addition, also found them involved in extortion, arson attacks, murders after kidnapping and cash van robbery.

The statement carried a list of arms allegedly found in possession of the suspects that included four submachine guns, five 12-bore repeaters, six 30-bore pistols, two 30-bore mousers, one 44-bore rifle, one MP-5, one 9mm pistol, 32 Ewan bombs, two light-machine guns, five kilogram explosive material and two hand grenades.