DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 2: The Border Military Police on Thursday foiled a bid to smuggle 15,000 litre petrol into settled areas of the district, in the first such operation to help check the illegal trade via Dera-Quetta road in the last six month.

Reports said the smuggling was on the rise in the area, resulting in mushroom growth of illegal petrol outlets in and around the city’s residential parts.

Sources said petrol smuggling via Dera-Quetta road had been continuing since long, and had assumed alarming proportions for the last six months with the alleged convenience of the BMP authorities.

They said the BMP conducted the anti-smuggling operation to clear the allegations that the petrol was being smuggled with the connivance of the force, besides it was being pressurized by the intelligence agencies to check the malpractice.

BMP commandant admitted that some officials were involved in the malpractice and four of them were suspended from service on such charges. However, he denied the allegations of large-scale condoning of smuggling during the last six month.