The Karachi police in their drive against criminals arrested 31 alleged criminals in different areas during the past 24 hours. A police statement on Wednesday said that these included absconders and proclaimed offenders. It said that four police encounters also took place during the period in different areas of the metropolis. As a result of the police action, five gangs of alleged criminals were also busted, the police statement added. As many as 24, one kalashinkov and three mobile phones were also recovered from the possession of those arrested. The police have registered the cases and have started investigations, it was further stated.