Four militants killed in Lasbella raid

Hand grenade and sub-machine guns were also seized in the raid, spokesperson says

QUETTA: At least four suspected militants were killed in a search operation by the Frontier Corps (FC) in Lasbela on Tuesday.

The FC spokesman said the paramilitary force had launched a crackdown on information about the presence of militants in Winder. The suspects were gunned down in an exchange of fire when the troops entered their hideout.

A hand grenade and sub-machine guns were also seized in the raid, the spokesman added.

The suspects were said to be involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion and attacks on security forces.

The identification of the militants or their association has yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, two bullet-riddled bodies were found in the coastal town of Pasni in Gwadar district.

The two men were killed in a shootout with the security forces in Ward No 7, Pasni SHO Imam Bakhash Baloch said.

The bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Pasni, where they were identified as Younas Yousaf and Hanif Kulanchi.

However, the family members of the victims claimed the men had been missing for a while before they were found dead.

According to sources, Younas went missing on February 20, 2013 while Hanif had been missing since June 23, 2015.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2016.