Pakistan customs foils major arms smuggling attempt near Dera Ismail Khan

Pakistan Customs has foiled a major attempt to smuggle weapons and ammunition near Dera Ismail Khan seizing a large consignment allegedly being transported through a route in the area.

Pakistan Customs has foiled a major attempt to smuggle weapons and ammunition near Dera Ismail Khan seizing a large consignment allegedly being transported through a route in the area.

The operation was carried out by the Customs Enforcement Peshawar Collectorate following a confirmed intelligence tip-off. Officials said the action was part of ongoing efforts to counter arms smuggling and prevent illegal weapons from reaching criminal and militant networks.

According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), a specially deployed Customs team intercepted a suspicious vehicle carrying a substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition on the Goloti–Dera Ismail Khan route.

Officials said the driver attempted to evade the Customs team after being signalled to stop at a checkpoint. He reportedly accelerated the vehicle and tried to flee.

Customs personnel pursued the vehicle and eventually stopped it near Sadra Sharif at around 1am. However, the driver abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot.

Authorities have launched efforts, in coordination with law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, to identify and arrest the suspect and determine the wider network allegedly involved in transporting the weapons.

A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the vehicle.

According to Customs officials, the seized items included M4-style rifles, G3 rifles, high-capacity rifle magazines, AK-47 magazines thousands of rounds of ammunition and various pistols and pistol cartridges.

Officials said the quantity, calibres and concealment method of the weapons raised suspicions that the consignment may have been intended for militant or other anti-state elements operating in the region.

The total estimated value of the seized weapons ammunition and vehicle is around Rs320 million according to the authorities.

The entire consignment and the vehicle have been taken into government custody while legal proceedings have been initiated under the Customs Act 1969 and other applicable laws.

Authorities are now working with law-enforcement and counterterrorism agencies to trace the potential recipients of the weapons and identify other individuals involved in the alleged smuggling network.

Officials said the seizure represents a significant disruption to the supply chain of illegal weapons that can contribute to militancy and organised crime, particularly along the western border region.

Customs authorities have reiterated their commitment to preventing the illegal movement of weapons and ammunition through remote and sensitive routes as part of Pakistan’s wider counterterrorism efforts.

Collector Customs Enforcement Peshawar Ayesha Bashir Wani praised the Customs personnel involved in the operation, saying the timely action demonstrated the vigilance and professionalism of the field staff.

She said Customs was committed to preventing terrorist and criminal networks from gaining access to weapons and ammunition and to protecting public safety.

Pakistan Customs also reaffirmed that it would continue working closely with law-enforcement, intelligence and security agencies to combat smuggling and protect the country’s economic borders.

Officials said stopping every illegal weapons shipment at the border and along sensitive routes helps prevent such consignments from reaching groups that could potentially use them against the state and civilians.

Authorities added that anti-smuggling and counterterrorism operations would continue across sensitive and remote routes with intelligence-sharing and coordination among relevant agencies.