QUETTA: Security forces have arrested 179 Afghan nationals during a large-scale intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Nokundi and Taftan areas of Balochistan’s Chagai district, officials said on Tuesday.
According to security officials, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated the movement of undocumented individuals across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border through infrequently used routes. The detained individuals were found to have entered Pakistani territory without valid travel documents.
A senior security official said that those taken into custody included mostly individuals of Uzbek origin. “As many as 179 Afghan nationals were apprehended during the operation. They had crossed into Pakistan illegally and were not in possession of any lawful travel or identification documents,” the official said. He added that the detainees were subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities for further legal proceedings in accordance with existing laws.
Officials said the operation was part of broader efforts to curb illegal border crossings, human smuggling and other unlawful activities in the sensitive border region. The Nokundi and Taftan areas, located near the tri-border region linking Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, have long been considered vulnerable to irregular movement due to their vast and sparsely populated terrain.
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Security authorities said patrols along the border had been further intensified following the operation. “Enhanced surveillance and patrolling measures have been put in place to maintain vigilance along the border with Afghanistan,” an official said, adding that the aim was to prevent illegal entry, human trafficking networks and cross-border criminal activity.
Officials said that patrolling of the security forces had been intensified in the border area.https://t.co/HPaR7Hsjrp
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The arrests come amid heightened concern over the risks faced by undocumented migrants attempting to transit through Pakistan towards Iran and onward to Europe. Officials noted that irregular migration routes not only pose security challenges but also expose migrants to serious dangers, including fatal accidents and exploitation by smugglers.
Last week, at least 11 Afghan nationals were killed and nine others injured in a road accident in the Nokundi area. The incident occurred when an oil tanker collided head-on with a pickup truck carrying Afghan nationals who were reportedly travelling illegally towards Iran as part of a broader attempt to reach European countries. The accident underscored the hazards associated with illegal migration through remote and poorly regulated routes.
Authorities said the recent operation in Chagai was also intended to discourage such dangerous journeys by disrupting smuggling networks that facilitate illegal movement across borders. Officials reiterated that individuals found entering or residing in Pakistan without legal documentation would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Security officials maintained that operations of this nature would continue as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border management, ensure internal security and prevent the misuse of Pakistani territory for illegal cross-border movement.
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