30 militants killed in search operation in Balochistan

Ten security personnel were also injured in the operation.


Shezad Baloch April 07, 2014
FC had targeted hideouts of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Baloch Republican Army (BRA) in mountainous area of Kalat region. PHOTO: ONLINE

QUETTA: As many as 30 suspected militants who attacked trains in Balochistan, were killed by Frontier Corps (FC) during a search operation in mountainous area of Juhan , in Kalat region, about 145-kilometer outside Quetta, on Monday.

FC Balochistan spokesperson Khan Wasay said FC targeted suspected hideouts of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA) in mountainous area of Kalat region.

“Security forces are using helicopters in the operation. One of the helicopters made an emergency landing on Kalat RCD highway after it developed a technical fault,” he said.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that one of Pakistan Army helicopter made an emergency landing near.

Brigadier Abdul Rahim of ISPR said that MI-17 cargo helicopter was on a routine flight when it developed some technical fault, thus forced to make an emergency landing.

"All crew members, including the pilot, remained safe in the incident," he added.

Ten security personnel were also injured in the operation.

“The security forces have targeted ten [suspected] hideouts in Kalat division,” Home Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti told the media during a news conference in Quetta.

“Action is being taken against those who are challenging the writ of the state.”

RCD highway near Surab area of Kalat district was sealed after a helicopter made an emergency landing.

“It was partially damaged. However the security personnel remained unhurt,” said Bugti.

Special Wing of Balochistan and Kalat Scout are also taking part in the operation. “The militants were involved in carrying out attacks on passenger trains,” Wasay said, adding that a huge cache of ammunition was also seized during the operation.

“More than 30 Baloch militants [allegedly] belonging to BRA and BLA had been killed while ten personnel of FC sustained injuries during the operation,” claimed FC spokesperson. “The militants have fired with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades.”

He further said that Inspector General FC Balochistan Ijaz Shahid is monitoring the operation.

Security forces also claimed to have destroyed six vehicles during the operation.

When contacted by the Express Tribune, the local administration—Kalat police and Balochistan Levies said they have no information about this operation.

“I do not know but we are contacting the security forces to inquire what actually happened,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.

Security official said that operation is still underway in the area. “Bodies will be handed over to local administration once the operation is concluded,” he added.

The identities of the people killed could not be ascertained yet as the bodies were not transferred to hospital till the time of filing of this report.

COMMENTS (10)

vikram sharma | 10 years ago | Reply

I am an Indian , i condemn RAW supporting BLA and other organizations in Balouchistan. this is spreading unrest. surely there must be Raw agents in blouchistan acting to be balouch. i hope balouchis should do the right thing and peace must prevail everywhere. balouch leaders are highly paid to create unrest and balouch janta will never get their rights from their leaders since i believe they dont really care if you are alive or dead.

Vikram

Nadeem khan | 10 years ago | Reply

Terrorists will not sit quite unless their money lines are cut off. There handlers are sitting in Afghanistan and deli. Pakistan government should speak up and expose them although whole world knows.

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