QUETTA: Balochistan Police registered 352 cases and arrested 1,698 suspects over the past month during special operations carried out across the province targeting drug dealers, proclaimed offenders, absconders and individuals involved in serious crimes, authorities reported.

The crackdown, launched on the special directives of Inspector General of Police Balochistan Mohammad Tahir Khan also resulted in the safe recovery of six kidnapped persons during operations in Quetta and districts across seven ranges.

Police recovered a large cache of weapons, including 135 pistols, 19 revolvers, 20 Kalashnikovs, 1,329 rounds of ammunition and 114 magazines. Officials said 148 cases were registered specifically against criminals, leading to the arrest of 147 suspects from whom weapons and ammunition were seized.

Regarding narcotics enforcement, 204 cases were registered against drug peddlers, resulting in the arrest of 213 individuals.

Six kidnapped victims, huge cache of illegal firearms recovered; thousands of kilograms of narcotics confiscated

Police recovered huge quantities of narcotics, including over 2,799 kilograms of hashish, 2,442 kilograms of crystal meth, also known as ice, and 1,687 kilograms of opium. Other seizures included 10 kilograms of bhang, 84 grams of heroin, 573 bottles of liquor and 129 cans of beer.

During the crackdown, police recovered six stolen vehicles, 67 motorcycles, 24 mobile phones and 35 tola of gold. Officials said they also arrested 155 proclaimed offenders and 342 absconders, while detaining 841 suspects involved in various crimes.

Authorities also seized 165,000 rupees in cash, 4,950 litres of Iranian diesel and 21,376 litres of Iranian petrol. Additionally, 2,010 cartons of Iranian cigarettes and 68 banned and illegal medicines were confiscated.

Balochistan Police said they remain committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and are utilising all available resources, with public cooperation, to “prevent crime and ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the province”.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2026