58 Afghans arrested in Dasht as human smuggling bid thwarted

The security forces personnel have foiled a human smuggling attempt in the Dasht Mirani area of Balochistan, arresting 58 Afghan nationals, including women and children, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

The security sources said that forces carried out a successful operation in the Dasht Mirani area and intercepted a group of Afghan nationals who were being transported as part of a human smuggling bid.

The arrested individuals, including women and children, were in Pakistan illegally. They were taken into custody during the operation and will be handed over to the police for further legal proceedings.

Officials said a large number of Afghan nationals leave Afghanistan due to economic and social difficulties and other factors, often falling into the hands of human smugglers who promise them routes to other countries.

According to authorities, some migrants attempt to travel through Pakistan to Iran, Türkiye and European countries with the help of human trafficking and smuggling networks.

Security forces and law-enforcement agencies have continued operations aimed at preventing human smuggling and disrupting networks involved in the illegal movement of people.

The authorities said all 58 detained Afghan nationals would be handed over to the police for further legal action in accordance with the relevant laws.

The operation comes amid continued efforts by Pakistani authorities to monitor illegal cross-border movement and prevent human smuggling activities in Balochistan.