Jamrud police seize 60kg opium after armed suspects flee checkpoint

Police seized 60 kilogrammes of opium during a major operation at a checkpoint in Jamrud area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Khyber district, officials said on Sunday.

According to police, the operation was part of an ongoing district-wide crackdown on drug traffickers led by Waqar Ahmed, District Police Officer. The action was carried out under the supervision of Siddiq Khan, Station House Officer (SHO) Jamrud.

A police team comprising Sub-Inspector Asif Khan, Bakht Munir, and other personnel set up a special checkpoint on the Shakas New Bypass Road when a suspicious car attempted to break through the barricade and opened fire on the police party.

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Police pursued the vehicle and managed to surround it after some distance. However, the suspects managed to escape under the cover of darkness. The firing caused partial damage to a police vehicle, though no personnel were injured.

A search of the abandoned car led to the recovery of 60kg of opium, which was taken into custody and shifted to the police station.

During initial investigations, the fleeing suspects were identified as Bashar and Rehan, residents of Zakhakhel. Police said cases have been registered against them and special teams have been formed to arrest the suspects, who will be apprehended soon.