KARACHI, Pakistan, July 11 (UPI) -- Karachi authorities are cleaning up as the army patrols the streets, bringing an end to last week's violence in which more than 100 people died.
Security forces took control of the troubled western neighborhoods of Orangi Town, Qasba Colony and Kati Pahari on Friday after they were ordered to shoot armed militants who had taken up positions at street corners and in buildings, local media reported.
Witnesses said during one gunfight nine people, including women and children, were injured, The Daily News reported. Other witnesses said soldiers had tipped off militants before attacking them, allowing the rebels to escape, The Daily New report said.
In one incident, gunmen opened fire on a local bus, killing at least 12 people.
Hundreds of families were removed temporarily to areas outside the affected suburbs as police continued to sweep through buildings.
Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, has been the scene of several militant attacks in the past year, raising questions over the ability of the police and army to maintain security in the country's main financial center and main port city of 18 million.
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission, which has its headquarters in Karachi, said 1,138 people have been killed in the city in the first six months of the year.
Attacks in Karachi are of particular concern to Western forces fighting in Afghanistan. The main overland supply route starts in the city.
A notable lapse in security happened in May when militants attacked the Miran naval air force base killing at least 16 people including 10 soldiers. At least two of the attackers set off suicide explosive devices, the army said.
The siege started at 10:30 p.m. and the military ended the operation after 15 hours of fighting during which they freed more than a dozen foreigners, including 11 Chinese flying instructors.
At least 15 soldiers were wounded in the fighting, which the Taliban said was to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy SEALs in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad on May 2.
Witnesses said the attackers were dressed as naval officials and were aware of the security protocol at the base and carried themselves like soldiers. The militants used rocket-propelled grenades to damage several warplanes, including a Lockheed Martin anti-submarine and marine surveillance aircraft P-3C Orion, witnesses said.
About 20 people, including five policemen, died and 100 people were injured in November when militants attempted to storm the Criminal Investigation Department building in Karachi.
During the attack, a truck laden with explosives slammed into a security wall around the building and exploded. Witnesses said the blast left a crater 40 feet across in front of the severely damaged building.
