A file photo of Frontier Corps personnel. PHOTO: EXPRESS
QUETTA: At least 13 militants of a banned outfit, including the brother and nephew of Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) leader Dr Allah Nazar were killed by paramilitary troops during a search operation in the troubled Mashkay area of Awaran district of Balochistan on Tuesday.
According to Frontier Corps (FC) spokesperson Khan Wasay, they conducted a search operation early on Tuesday in Mashkay, the hometown of BLF leader Dr Nazar, to secure the release of hostages taken by the militants. A helicopter of the home department was also used in the operation.
During the operation, officials exchanged fire with militants which left one security official dead, and two others injured.
The militants killed in the operation were identified as Safar Khan - Dr Nazar's brother, Shahek Baloch - Dr Nazar's nephew, and two commanders Balaach and Shahjahan.
Read: Up to 20 killed in clashes between separatist groups in Dera Bugti
Wasay said the militants were involved in killing of seven people on June 6 in Mashkay.
“They also took 17 women and 30 children as hostages in Mashkay,” he said, adding that the hostages were released after the operation.
FC is using Balochistan Home Department’s helicopter in the search operation.
IG FC Balochistan Sher Afghan, while commenting on the targeted action, said that it will help restore peace in the province.
Read: Balochistan unrest: Journalist shot dead in Usta Mohammad
Earlier on Monday, at least 27 militants were killed in clashes between two rival armed groups in Peer Masori area of violence-stricken Dera Bugti.
According to a source in the security forces, the Baloch Liberation Army’s militants had attacked the United Baloch Army’s Karam Khan Camp in Peer Masori area.
As a result, 20 people were killed in the exchange of fire that lasted for a couple of hours.
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