QUETTA: A comprehensive crackdown has been finalized against smugglers and criminals in Baluchistan after some smugglers attempted to kill an officer. Deputy Collector Abdul Qudoos is in critical condition. He was leading the anti-smuggling campaign in the province along with Deputy Collector Asim Rehman.
FBR officers are infuriated over the incident. Member Customs Agha Jawwad, Chief Collector Chaudry Zulfiqar visited the Quetta Collectorate and addressed the officials. They were unanimous that the writ of government had been challenged and it would not be tolerated.
A joint operation by Customs, Police and paramilitary forces has been planned as the government is committed to eradicate smuggling, which is plaguing the country’s economic system.
Deputy Collector Preventive Quetta Customs Dr. Abdul Qudoos Sheikh along with Inspector Ghulam Hussain Khoso, after carrying out a successful operation at Customs Check Post, were returning back to Quetta when they were intercepted by a Toyota Vitz and Toyota Hilux Vigo. Around ten masked people, armed with guns, jumped out of their vehicles and overpowered the inspector while others manhandled and assaulted the Deputy Collector with fists and AK-47 butt severely injuring him.
He was quite efficient against smuggling and was leading the anti-smuggling drive launched on the instructions of Advisor FTO Quetta.
Baluchistan is a highly sensitive province for Customs. The entire Baluchistan Customs Preventive force is comprised of 400 officers and officials. 237 are in Quetta alone. Customs Preventive is facing extreme shortage of resources. They do not have proper weapons, vehicles and they largely rely on levies and FC etc, but sometimes these forces lend no support due to unknown reasons exposing the Customs staff at risk, an official said.
An official said Dr. Iftikhar, Additional Collector Jameel Baloch, DC Asim Rehman are in continuous coordination with the intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies sharing information, and the hunt for the assailants.