Three militants killed, four arrested in Khuzdar

QUETTA: Three suspected militants were shot dead while four were arrested by security forces in the Wadh area of Khuzdar district, Balochistan on Monday.

“Three suspects were killed in an encounter with security forces and Balochistan Levies. Weapons, ammunition and an improvised explosive device were recovered from the suspects,” Khuzdar Deputy Commissioner Waheed Shah told The Express Tribune.

The exchange of fire took place in Lop area of Tehsil Wadh in the early hours of Monday.

“The militants belonged to a banned Baloch separatist organisation operating in and around Khuzdar,” Shah added.

A Frontier Corps spokesperson said the suspects opened fire at FC personnel during the search operation.

“The FC personnel shot dead three militants and arrested four others belonging to Lashkar-e-Balochistan and banned United Baloch Army,” the spokesperson said.

Further, the FC personnel seized two small machine guns, four magazines, a laptop, a passport, a motorcycle and five mobile phones.

The bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Khuzdar for autopsy. Two of the deceased were identified as Abdul Aziz and Khalil, while the third was not identified till the filing of this report.

There have been no statements from any banned Baloch militant organisation regarding the exchange of fire with security forces.

Khuzdar is among the worst militancy-hit areas in Balochistan where target killings and bombings are frequent. Khuzdar Press Club has been closed for the past two months following threats to journalists.