LANDI KOTAL, Nov 10: The authorities at Torkham border on Saturday took into custody seven persons on charges of stealing goods from Nato containers.

Official sources told Dawn that acting on a tip-off, Customs authorities stopped and searched two containers on Friday at the time of clearance. They said that both containers were loaded with cement and sandbags along with concrete blocks.

During the search and questioning from the drivers, it was revealed that thieves had cut down the upper portion of the container and took out all the dry batteries loaded in the two vehicles, sources added. The drivers told the investigators that the ‘theft operation’ was carried out at a secret location near Dera Ismail Khan and after taking out all the dry batteries, the containers were reloaded with cement and sandbags and concrete blocks.

Officials said that in order to deceive Custom officials at Torkham border, the thieves left the original seals of the containers intact and instead cut the ceiling of the container with a welding machine. Upon the information provided by the two drivers and their assistants, Customs authorities arrested three clearing agents from Peshawar in a raid on their office.

The authorities also took into custody the two vehicles bearing registration numbers P-3230 and TKV-763. All the arrested men were later shifted to army camp in Landi Kotal for detailed interrogations.—Ibrahim Shinwari