QUETTA: The FIA has taken 20 foreign nationals into custody for their alleged role in human smuggling and illegal border crossing at the Pakistan-Iran border near Mashkel in Chagai district.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Taftan, in collaboration with FC personnel. The individuals were reportedly attempting to cross the border illegally.

The spokesperson confirmed that all detainees are Bangladeshi nationals who had entered Pakistan on visit visas and were attempting to cross into Iran.

The suspects include Babul Hussain, Mian Arif, Shopan, Abdullah, Muhammad Kabul, Mehdi Hassan, Al-Amin, Saghar Hussain, Najam-ul-Hussain, Habibur Rehman, Anar-ul-Haq, Rajub Ali, Sojub Ali, Asad, Rubel Mian, Arafat Ali, Ayman Akunda, and Shabbir Ali.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2025