Illegal movement: Two trucks carrying explosives seized

Drivers say material was to be used for mining in Harnai, Balochistan.

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Two trucks laden with explosives and headed towards Harnai, Balochistan, were seized by Border Military Police on Saturday after the drivers failed to produce a licence to transport the material.

The drivers were arrested under Explosives Act. The men identified as Muhammad Sadiq, a resident of Chakwal, and Atta Rasool, a resident Khushab, said they were assigned to carry the explosives to Harnai in Balochistan.

They said the explosives were to be used in mining operations of a gas exploration company.

They said they were bringing the explosives from Biafo Industries in Wah Cantt. The drivers were arrested because they could not produce a licence to transport explosive materials.

The BMP Commandant told The Express Tribune that movement of explosive materials without a legal permit was not allowed. He said the two man had a gate pass of the factory in Wah Cantt from where they claimed they had brought the explosives. But, he added, they also needed a licence to carry explosives as well. He said the BMP had contacted the Dera Ghazi Khan district administration as well as the political agent for the adjoining Tribal Area but none of them had any knowledge of the trucks’ movement.

Munawar Hussain, in charge of district bomb disposal squad, said explosives seized from the two trucks could have been used for a terrorist attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2011.