QUETTA: Collector Muhammad Tahir has launched an investigation into the attack on the Ziarat Cross checkpost, focusing on identifying who turned off the cameras and which Customs staff were involved. The cameras at the Ziarat Cross checkpost were deactivated half an hour before the FIA raid, a task that could only be performed by Customs staff.
The attack occurred on the evening of September 24. Notorious smuggler Malik Dilawar Barzai was also present, which proves how much he is connected with FIA and other agencies.
During the incident, Inspector Haris and two sepoys were kidnapped, while FIA staff remained at the checkpost throughout the night. Customs staff stayed inside the checkpost, and vehicle inspections and patrolling were suspended for the night.
Sources indicate that the attack was pre-planned to clear vehicles loaded with smuggled goods. The exact nature and quantity of the smuggled goods that passed through the checkpost while the Customs staff were held hostage by the FIA remain unknown. The notorious smuggler Malik Dilawar Barzai, along with his cousin FIA Inspector Shakeel Barzai and their accomplices, were implicated in the incident.
The Ziarat Cross checkpost, a critical junction leading to DG Khan and DI Khan, became the scene of a dramatic and controversial raid. FIA Inspector Iqbal Kakar visited the post following reports of unauthorized individuals, dressed in Customs uniforms and armed, being present. Inspector Kakar demanded the custody of a sepoy in Customs uniform, but Customs officials refused, asserting that the sepoy was indeed a legitimate employee. This refusal led to a heated argument.
The situation escalated significantly when Inspector Kakar returned with a contingent of 35 FIA personnel, including staff from the cybercrime and banking circles. The FIA team, wearing masks, was accompanied by Malik Dilawar Barzai, a known smuggler, and his cousin, FIA Inspector Shakeel Barzai. Another FIA Inspector, Idrees, was also present. The group launched an assault on the Customs post, with Malik Dilawar allegedly opening fire on the Customs staff. Despite having only 20 bullets in one rifle and 9 in another, the Customs officers fired back, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
During the clash, Customs Inspector Haris Bashir and sepoys Baseer Durrani and Irfan were captured by the FIA. They were taken to the FIA headquarters, where they were reportedly tortured throughout the night before being released the next morning. Despite the severity of the incident, Customs authorities did not file an incident report or lodge an FIR.
Further investigation revealed that the Customs staff at Ziarat Cross had intercepted a bowser loaded with high-value smuggled goods. During the raid, Malik Dilawar took these goods. Malik Dilawar is known to be deeply connected with various law enforcement agencies, including Customs, Levies, FIA, and FC. He allegedly charges between one to one and a half million rupees to allow smuggled goods to pass through the checkpost.
Qurban Hazara was posted on this check post last month. This is a very sensitive post.
Last month, Malik Dilawar and abducted Inspector Qurban and took him to Levies Station Bola Khan. Malik sat on SHO’s seat at the police station where Inspector Qurban was brutally tortured all night. An official said Levies were involved in smuggling.
An FIR was lodged of this incident, but no action was taken against Malik Dilawar Barzai.