GWADAR: Police arrested three suspected members of an international human smuggling ring and safely rescued 13 migrants on Monday during a raid on a bungalow, authorities said.

Acting on a tip, the police raided a residence in the New Town Phase-I area. “While searching the bungalow, 13 illegal migrants belonging to Punjab, who were allegedly being prepared for illegal entry into Oman, were found hiding,” officials said.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Nadir Shah, Abdul Majeed and Zaheer Uddin Shah. During the operation, officers also seized five Toyota Corolla cars allegedly used by the traffickers.

The rescued individuals have been placed in protective custody, and authorities have registered a case against the suspects. An investigation is underway to trace additional facilitators within the network.

Flight Lt (Reired) Atta-ur-Rehman Khan Tureen, the senior superintendent of police in Gwadar, told reporters that the department is maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking and other crimes.

He described human trafficking as a heinous crime and pledged strict legal action against those involved. Operations are currently underway to arrest the gang’s remaining accomplices, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chakar Khan said.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026