Human trafficking charges: Two Afghan nationals arrested in Kohat raids

KOHAT: The officials of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday raided various Afghan refugee camps in Kohat region and arrested two Afghan suspects allegedly involved in human smuggling.

Carrying out an intelligence-based operation, the agency arrested two Afghan nationals identified as Rahimullah and Abdur Rehman for their alleged involvement in human smuggling to Europe via sea routes.

Under the directives of FIA Director General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir, the FIA officials of Kohat Zone intensified its crackdown on those involved in human smuggling. Acting on a tip-off, two Afghan land route agents were apprehended from refugee camps located in Kohat.

The suspects were involved in deceiving citizens and sending them to Greece via Iran and Turkey through sea routes. Crucial evidence related to human smuggling was recovered from their mobile phones. Based on the information provided by Rahimullah, the main suspect Abdur Rehman was also arrested.

The suspects had important evidence on their mobile phones regarding human smuggling, including communications with victims and agents. The suspects were detained and an investigation was initiated while raids were underway to arrest other accomplices.

The crackdown against those involved in the Greece boat tragedy and human smuggling continued with intelligence-based operations.

The FIA officials said that special raiding teams had been formed to apprehend the suspects, and all resources are being utilized to ensure their arrest. The FIA initiated a crackdown against the human trafficking agents after scores of Pakistanis were killed in several shipwreck incidents in Italy, Greece and other countries.