Detained crew members of Pak goods train released

Three members of the crew of a goods train from Pakistan, who had been detained at the Attari international railway station near Amritsar for allegedly trying to smuggle 28 kg of poppy seed into India, were released, officials said.

Three members of the crew of a goods train from Pakistan, who had been detained at the Attari international railway station near Amritsar for allegedly trying to smuggle 28 kg of poppy seed into India, were released, officials said on Saturday.

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Engine driver Mohhamad Ali, assistant driver Rana Zulfikar and guard Hamir Mustaq, who were detained on Friday when Indian Customs authorities recovered the poppy seed, also called Khas-Khas, from the train after a thorough search, were let off last late night, officials at Attari said.

During the interrogation, driver Ali confessed to his crime and said that the assistant driver and guard were not aware of his act.

The Custom Authority had reported the matter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for further course of action- whether a criminal case as per the Indian Law should be registered against them or they should be released.

However, the accused were release on the permission of the Union Ministry.

According to the sources at Attari railway station, the Custom Authority has told the Pakistan Government that the accused would not come be allowed to enter India in future.