February 19, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 20, 1427

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RAWALPINDI, Feb 18: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)’s special cell arrested two persons, including an Airport Security Force (ASF) official, on Saturday for their alleged involvement in an attempt to smuggle heroin to Manchester, airport sources said.

They said hunt was on for two other ASF personnel wanted in connection with the case.

The sources said following a tip-off, the ANF special cell raided Islamabad International Airport and caught an ASF SI, Zahir Shah, carrying a bag containing about 6-1/2 kg of heroin. The accused claimed that the bag belonged to a passenger Najeeb Barohi (a friend of SI Zahir Shah).

The SI came to the airport in plain clothes after his duty timings to facilitate Mr Barohi, who holds a British passport, in boarding the Manchester-bound flight PK-795.

The sources said the SI got the boarding card for Mr Barohi and also booked his baggage, including a hand bag. He then told Mr Barohi that he would take him to the airplane through VIP lounge where another ASF official would help him. The ANF team conducted the raid when both Mr Barohi and SI Zahir were heading towards the VIP lounge and seized the hand bag containing narcotics. However, the ASF official reportedly waiting for them in the VIP lounge slipped away.

The sources said Mr Barohi, who belonged to Karachi, had friendly relations with another ASF official posted at Peshawar Airport, who introduced him to SI Zahir Shah. However, he was currently on leave.

When contacted for comments, a senior ANF official confirmed the seizure of heroin and also the involvement of ASF officials. He said three ASF officials were involved in the drug trafficking attempt. One of them had been captured, while the hunt was on for the other two, he added.

Meanwhile, as many as nine vehicles were stolen and a cellphone shop ransacked in different parts of Rawalpindi on Friday, police said. Tariq Rehman told the Civil Lines police that four robbers entered his shop and looted cash and cellphones valued at Rs75,000.

Mohammad Idris’s car (LOE-7038) was stolen from the Civil Lines area; Ibrar Hussain’s car (KN-8563) was taken away from Westridge; Babar Hussain’s car (HG-450) was stolen from New Town; Arslan Rashid’s Pajero (IDB-2754) was lifted from RA Bazaar; and Mohammad Miskeen’s wagon (LHP-4927) was stolen from Gangmandi.