KSF chief accused of ‘smuggling’ at Khunjerab Border

GILGIT: Khunjerab Security Force (KSF) In-charge DSP Dr Tehzeebul Hassan has been issued a show-cause notice by AIG Establishment for his alleged involvement in smuggling of goods across the Pakistan-China border.

According to the notice, Dr Hassan is accused of permitting the passage of smuggled goods through four vehicles on November 25. Sources within the Customs Department told HUM News English that the goods, reportedly originating from China, were stored in the rooms of a dispensary in Dhee and at a Forest Department check post located at Khunjerab.

Customs officials, acting on intelligence, raided the locations on the evening of November 26, seizing the contraband and sealing the premises. The seized goods were subsequently transported to the Sost Dry Port for assessment, where an investigation into their value and nature is underway.

However, sources claimed that the alleged smuggling took place on November 26, when DSP Hassan was “not present at the site”. Documents seen by this scribe revealed that Hassan relinquished his duties as KSF Chief around 12:30 PM on November 26, following the dismissal of a case by the Services Tribunal regarding his transfer to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). The case, which had been set for hearing on November 26, was dismissed in Hassan’s absence.

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DSP Hassan, who had been appointed KSF chief and border chief in April 2024, was transferred to CTD in late September. He had contested the transfer in the Services Tribunal, but after the case was dismissed, he formally gave up his position with the KSF on November 26. He reported Establishment Division on November 27.

The KSF, which is a part of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Police, is responsible for maintaining law and order in the sensitive region that guards the Sino-Pakistan border. According to the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the KSF, the force is not authorized to intervene in customs matters but is required to report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs authorities.