Balochistan unrest: Paramilitary troops kill three in armed clash

QUETTA:

Three alleged assailants were killed in the restive Dera Bugti district on Monday in an armed clash with the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC).

According to FC sources, a paramilitary team was patrolling the Sui area when armed men attacked it with sophisticated weapons, causing minor damage to the vehicle. However, the troops remained safe.

Three attackers were killed when FC troops returned fire. The identities of the deceased could not be ascertained.

“The FC convoy was on a routine patrol when it came under the attack,” the FC spokesperson said.

Separately, FC troops are reported to have arrested some suspects during a raid in the Badini area of Qila Saifullah district bordering Afghanistan. They recovered arms and ammunition from their custody. One of the suspects is stated to be an Afghan national. The suspects were shifted to an unknown location for investigation.

FC check posts

Meanwhile, in a move to promote the reconciliation process in the province, the government has abolished three FC checkpoints in Quetta on Monday.

According to the FC, checkpoints in Mian Gundi, Darksha and Bulali areas of the city were closed and its personnel were asked to report to the FC Headquarters. “Police will set up pickets in these areas,” an FC official said.

Separate attacks

Three people, including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), were killed and another was wounded in separate incidents of firing in different parts of the province.

ASI Syed Badal Khan and constable Syed Dedar Khan were heading towards Dera Murad Jamali from Chattar when armed men intercepted them at Subatpur Road and attempted to snatch their motorbike.

They opened fire when the police officials resisted. ASI Khan died on the spot while the constable received serious wounds.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2012.