Islamabad, Sep 11 (IANS): At least 12 people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Pakistan's southern port of Karachi, said local media and police Wednesday.

Over the last 24 hours, Pakistan police and paramilitary troops were carrying out targeted operations in various areas of the city, Xinhua reported Wednesday citing local media and police.

Several other people were also injured in the violence.

In the latest incident, the chairman of a mosque community was shot dead in downtown Nazimabad area of the city.

Two people from an ethnic minority were killed in firing by unidentified gunmen. Police are investigating the killings.

Elsewhere, two policemen were shot dead Wednesday morning by unidentified gunmen on Haideri Road of the city, said a police official.

Seven people, including two political workers and a fruit vendor, were killed and several others were injured in separate incidents of firing Tuesday.

Pakistan Rangers arrested seven alleged criminals affiliated with a banned outfit and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition from them.

Karachi police apprehended 148 alleged criminals, including 23 whowere opn the run, 40 others under the arms ordinance, 22 under the narcotics ordinance, four under the Terrorism Act and three alleged extortionists Tuesday.