LAHORE: Police has arrested 37 persons for attempting to murder Customs officer/officials and destroying government vehicle, after the Customs staff recovered large quantity of smuggled cloth from Ali Arcade, Kashmir Ghati Lahore.

In pursuance of information, Enforcement Lahore and I&I Lahore jointly conducted a raid on Ali Arcade, Kashmir Ghati Lahore and recovered 18-truck load of smuggled cloth.  Meanwhile, owner of the smuggled goods including Mateen Khan, Kamran Niazi, Hakim Khan and Aijaz (all armed with fire arms) came along with 80-90 persons and attacked Customs staff.

Deputy Director I&I Lahore Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha was seriously wounded after he was hit with a stome on his head. The above mentioned culprits also resorted to firing with automatic rifles and provoked the mob to kill Customs staff.

The culprits also destroyed government vehicle, Toyota Surf, and injured several other Customs staff members.

Later Additional Director I&I Hasan Farid and Assistant Collector Enforcement Sidra Naz along with  large contingent of Police raided the site and recovered the smuggled goods.

It was a joint operation of Customs Enforcement Lahore and I&I Lahore. It may be mentioned here that I&I and Enforcement Lahore have exemplary coordination and pursuing an efficient anti-smuggling campaign.

Colletor Enforcement Basit Abbasi and and Director Saima Aftab appreciated the efforts of Police for promptly arresting the culprits.