QUETTA: Security forces have arrested 65 illegal Afghan immigrants, including women and children, officials said on Saturday.

Officials said the arrests were made during raids conducted on intelligen­ce reports at four locations in the Noku­n­­di area of Chagai district. The detainees are Afghans, who entered Pakis­tan illegally after crossing the border.

“Security forces cordoned off the area and rounded up 65 illegal Afghan nationals,” a senior security official said, adding that they included 33 men, 14 women and 18 children.

The official said security forces also burned and destroyed their four hideouts.

“They had crossed into Pakistan and were waiting to enter Iran and Turkiye before travelling onwards to European countries,” the official claimed.

The detainees were handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2026