QUETTA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted two separate operations in Quetta, arresting 50 individuals involved in human smuggling and illegal border crossings.

According to FIA officials, 29 Afghan nationals were detained while attempting to enter Iran illegally via sea routes. The group included 12 men, 4 women, and 13 children. Two drivers allegedly facilitating their border crossing were also arrested.

In another operation, the FIA apprehended 21 Pakistani nationals who were planning to illegally travel to Iran and onward to Europe by sea.

Officials said the arrested individuals hailed from various districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Gujranwala (6), Mandi Bahauddin (2), Hafizabad (2), Nankana Sahib (2), Nowshera (3), and Toba Tek Singh (6), as well as areas of Sialkot, Bajaur, Chakwal, Gujrat, and Sheikhupura.

The FIA stated that the operations were part of its ongoing crackdown against human trafficking networks operating along Pakistan’s southwestern border routes.