BLF chief reportedly killed in Awaran operation: Bugti

Balochistan home minister says reports of Dr Allah Nazar's death cannot be confirmed

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Tuesday the chief of Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) Dr Allah Nazar has reportedly been killed in an operation in Awaran district of Balochistan.

“According to intelligence reports, BLF chief Dr Allah Nazar has been killed in an operation in Awaran,” Bugti said, while addressing the media.

However, he added, the reports of the BLF chief's death have not been confirmed.

“The operation was successful as many key militants were killed and there has been no trace of Dr Nazar since the Eid operation,” Bugti added.

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Further, the provincial home minister said security forces in an operation arrested seven terrorists belonging to various banned outfits in Balochistan.

"Security forces also recovered arms along with about 600 international SIM cards and 1000 antennas from the suspected terrorists," Bugti claimed.

"The forces were successful in destroying the communication centre being used by militants upon orders of Afghan and Indian intelligence agencies, situated in Dalbandin," the provincial home minister further said, while adding that initial reports revealed the suspects were using SIMs belonging to Afghanistan, India, Iran, the United States and various European countries.

In June, at least 13 militants of a banned outfit, including the brother and nephew of BLF leader Dr Allah Nazar were killed by paramilitary troops during a search operation in the troubled Mashkay area of Awaran district of Balochistan.

Read: Baloch militant commander's brother, nephew among 14 killed in Awaran clashes

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.