What happened
Pakistan Customs authorities at Torkham foiled an attempt to smuggle arms and ammunition into Pakistan and seized more than 21,000 rounds of SMG and rifle cartridges along with other arms, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a news release carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on 13 January 2026. The suspicious consignment was detected during routine cargo scrutiny at Customs Station Torkham.
An apparently empty vehicle bearing registration number TAH-027 was shifted to the NLC Import Terminal for detailed scanning, the release said. Scanned images revealed irregularities, prompting a thorough physical examination that led to the seizure.
Why it matters
Customs authorities are treating the incident as a deliberate and organised attempt to undermine public safety and national security, according to the release. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged and further legal proceedings are under way, it said. Customs are coordinating closely with other law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation from all possible angles.
The FBR reaffirmed its commitment to curb smuggling and corrupt practices and to protect national revenue, APP reported. The release did not identify any suspects, state where the consignment originated or name its intended destination.
What is still uncertain
No arrests and no connection to a named group were disclosed in the release, and the quantity of “other arms” seized alongside the cartridges was not specified. It was also not clear how the vehicle had entered the customs screening process or whether any officials were suspected of facilitating the consignment.
Sources & reporting notes
This article summarises a Federal Board of Revenue news release carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan on 13 January 2026. It is not eyewitness reporting.
- APP — Torkham Customs seizes over 21,000 rounds of arms, ammunition in smuggling attempt13 January 2026 · Report on the FBR news release describing the Torkham interception, the scanning of vehicle TAH-027, the seizure and the FIR.