Gilgit Baltistan

Over negligence: G-B police chief suspends three KSF officials

Chinese national tried to smuggle weapons to China

Shabbir Mir June 05, 2016

Chinese national tried to smuggle weapons to China. PHOTO: FILE

GILGIT: At least three officials of Karakoram Security force (KSF) have been suspended by Gilgit-Baltistan IGP Zafar Iqbal Awan for performing their duties negligently. The cops were suspended after they failed to chase a Chinese national who illegally purchased arms and attempted to smuggle them to China.

“[Awan] has taken the decision to punish [the official],” Mubarak Jan, a spokesperson for the G-B police, told The Express Tribune on Sunday.

The suspended officials included KSF incharge, Inspector Hamid and Sub-Inspector Ejaz.

“An enquiry has been initiated against the officials,” he said.

A week earlier, Wang Jianqiu was arrested at Pakistan-China border near Khunjerab Pass for smuggling weapons into China. The smuggled weapons included four 9mm pistols, 200 rounds and a map. Police believe the suspect was planning to use the material to orchestrate a terror bid in China.

Mapping the journey

Jianqiu reportedly entered Pakistan via Khunjerab Pass on May 13. He then proceeded to Rawalpindi and Islamabad and stayed there for six days.

On May 24, the man hired a taxi from Sost and proceeded to Zero Point on Khunjerab Top from where he could check into his country.

According to Jan, the Chinese national stopped to take photographs and subsequently disappeared.

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On receiving information about his disappearance, the police launched a search operation and later arrested him near the Pakistan-China border.

According to the spokesperson, Jianqiu had some energy biscuits and chocolates in his bag.

“During initial investigation, the man admitted he bought weapons from Rawalpindi,”

He added the suspect was shifted to Gilgit for interrogation. A case has also been registered against him under the anti-terrorism act.

“The arrest [of Chinese national] means the police managed to avert an incident that could bring bad name to the country,” he added.

According to the police, they had never seized such a large quantity of smuggled weapons at Pakistan-China border.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2016.