QUETTA: In a province-wide crackdown on crime, as many as 805 suspects, including 43 proclaimed offenders and 296 absconders, were arrested over the past three weeks, the Balochistan authorities said on Saturday.

During the campaign, the officials said, 18 kidnapped individuals were safely recovered. The campaign targeted wanted individuals across all seven of the police ranges.

During the province-wide operations, security forces seized a large cache of weapons, including 80 revolvers and pistols, eight Kalashnikov rifles, six shotguns and 682 rounds of ammunition.

Narcotics units also targeted drug networks, confiscating more than 165kg hashish and nearly 4kg of methamphetamine, locally known as ice/shisha. Authorities also seized heroin, eight bags of gutka, and dozens of bottles and cans of alcohol.

In addition to weapons and drugs, police recovered four stolen vehicles, 14 motorcycles and 15 mobile phones.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026