QUETTA, Jan 19: Five drug smugglers were killed and two Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) personnel suffered injuries in an encounter in Chagai district near the Pakistan-Afghan border on Saturday.

The security personnel recovered large quantities of morphine and illegal arms.

According to official sources, the ANF personnel had received a tip-off about the movement of drug smugglers in Jitral area and conducted a raid late in the night. The smugglers opened fire on the force. ANF personnel, who had taken up positions in the area before hand, returned fire. The heavy exchange of fire lasted around an hour and resulted in the killing of five smugglers and injuries to two ANF personnel.

However, other smugglers managed to escape, taking advantage of darkness in the area. ANF seized two vehicles loaded with drugs.

“Around 1,500kg of fine-quality morphine was recovered from the two vehicles,” sources said, adding that the consignment had been brought into the country from across the border and was destined for the Gulf States and Europe.

Sources said the ANF also seized arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, rocket launchers, several thousands of rounds, satellite phones and wireless sets.

A case was registered against the smugglers.