GILGIT: An attempt to smuggle mobile phones from China to Pakistan was thwarted on Wednesday near the Khunjerab top by a joint operation involving Pakistan Customs, the Facilitation Mechanisms Team and local police.

A passenger bus arriving from the Chinese border was intercepted in the Kokcil area for checking and examination on Tuesday.

During a thorough search of the vehicle, mobile phones concealed at various locations within the bus were recovered, according to a statement issued by Pakistan Customs Sost Dry Port.

A total of 166 mobile phones worth Rs20 million were seized. The dev­i­ces included 18 Xiaomi mobile phones, one One­Plus mobile phone and 147 Apple iPhones of assorted models. All recovered mobile phones were found to be old, used and JV (carrier-locked) devices.

OC FMT Maj Balach, Sost Anti-Smuggling Deputy Collector Attaullah Nasar, and other custom officials, Ahmed Umer Khan, and Muhammad Awais, took part in the operation.

The seized mobile phones have been taken into Customs custody for further investigation.

Mohib Khan, deputy collector of Pakistan Customs at Sost Port, said relevant officials have tightened the checking and examination for transportation coming from China to Pakistan through the Khunjerab Pass.

“Attempts of smuggling of contraband and restricted items through passenger vehicles and trade vehicles have been foiled,” Mr Khan said.

In earlier joint operations by the Facilitation Mec­hanisms Team and Pakistan Customs, around 90,000 mobile phones — including Apple, OnePlus, Samsung and other brands — had already been confiscated in efforts aimed at curbing smuggling thro­ugh the Khunjerab Pass.

Additionally, foreign-origin goods valued at Rs1.4mn have been auctioned at the Sost Dry Port.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026

Correction: An earlier version of this story said 163 phones, including 143 iPhones were confiscated. In fact, 166 phones and 147 iPhones were seized. The error is regretted.