Taliban could take over Karachi: Report

Taliban militants have established secret hideouts in Karachi and it 'could take the city hostage at any point', according to the Pakistani police.

The Special Branch of police has highlighted the presence of Taliban in Karachi in a report submitted to the Sindh government and the provincial police chief.

The Taliban have 'huge caches' of weapons and ammunition, the report said.

The report provides details about secret Taliban hideouts and their presence in areas like Sohrab Goth and Quaidabad. Besides living in small motels in these areas, the Taliban are hiding in the hills of Manghopir and Orangi town and in other low-income areas and slums, the Daily Times newspaper quoted the police report as saying.

The daily also quoted sources as saying that the deputy chief of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban, Hasan Mahmood, was hiding in Karachi. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the coalition government in Sindh province, has often warned authorities that the Taliban had established a presence in Karachi.

The Daily Times said the Special Branch report had 'terrified' police and security personnel.