QUETTA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Balochistan has dismantled a network accused of smuggling migrants, arresting six individuals, including three Afghan nationals.
In a targeted operation, the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking unit apprehended the suspects, who are believed to be part of an organised smuggling group. Among those arrested were Adeel Ali, Sanaullah, and Abdul Khaliq.
Evidence gathered from mobile phones included chat messages and photographs that allegedly confirmed their involvement in illegally moving Afghan citizens. Following leads from the initial arrests, FIA teams conducted a subsequent raid on Airport Road, leading to the capture of two men said to have worked as drivers for the ring.
Authorities also recovered 11 colour photocopies of national identity cards from one suspect, which are believed to have been used to help Afghan nationals travel illegally within Pakistan.
During questioning, the arrested individuals identified Abdul Hadi and Muhammad Isa as the alleged masterminds of the operation. Both remain at large, and raids are ongoing to locate them. Legal proceedings have now been initiated against the six individuals in custody.
In a similar operation last week, the FIA in Gwadar has arrested 17 suspects for allegedly attempting to travel illegally to Iran by sea.
According to FIA spokesperson, the arrests were made in the Jiwani area. The individuals, who are from various districts in Punjab and Balochistan, including Hafizabad, Gujranwala, and Gwadar, were apprehended yesterday.
Initial investigations suggest that the suspects had previously used Iran as a route to travel to other countries illegally.
Three cases have been registered against them. The FIA has stated that a crackdown is ongoing against human trafficking and illegal border crossings, and an investigation is underway.
