One-month operation: FC killed 29 militants in Balochistan, says minister

Says security forces also destroyed eight hideouts in various districts

QUETTA:

Security forces have killed over two dozen militants belonging to outlawed Baloch insurgents and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and also destroyed a number of their hideouts in various districts of Balocshitan in the past one month.

“Frontier Corps [FC] killed 29 militants associated with the Baloch separatist groups and the TTP, including two suicide bombers, during the search operation in the province,” said Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and DIG FC Brig Mohammad Tahir in a news briefing at the FC Help Center in Kholia Phattack on Friday. They also destroyed eight insurgents’ hideouts during the month-long operation, he added.

The home minister said the TTP militants were sneaking into Balochistan from North Waziristan Agency where Zarb-e-Azb operation is in its decisive phase. But the FC did not let them set up camps in the province, he added.

He said the FC carried out the search operation in various districts including Kalat, Mastung, Awaran, Turbat, Zhob, Loralai and Killa Abdullah where the security forces killed notorious militants during the shootout.

Sarfaraz Bugti said the paramilitary troops also arrested six insurgents belonging to different militant groups who were involved in attack on security forces, kidnapping of Frontier Work Organisation’s workers and targeted killing of the innocent people.

During the search operation, the FC seized 1,350kg of explosive material, 12 suicide jackets, six RPG7, 40 IEDs, 12 anti-personnel mines, six bombs, two SMGs, 50 hand-grenades and 100 detonators.

Replying to a question, the minister said the negotiation task with Baloch militants has been given to Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.

“Frontier Corps saved Balochistan from a major disaster after recovering the huge cache of explosives and weapons in the province,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2015.