Four suspected militants arrested near Quetta

Sources say a Taliban commander is among those arrested

QUETTA: At least four suspected militants were arrested on Monday during a pre-dawn raid in Kuchlak in the outskirts of Quetta.

“Security forces sealed Killi Jamalabad village in Kuchlak and carried out a search operation. The operation lasted for several hours and four suspects have been arrested,” an official said, requesting anonymity.

Sources added a Taliban commander is among those arrested.

However, speaking to The Express Tribune, Kuchlak police said they were unaware of the search operation and arrests made despite the reported operation taking place within its jurisdiction.

“We witnessed the operation but do not have any details,” a police officer at Kuchlak police station said.

Meanwhile, security officials neither confirmed nor denied the arrests made during the search operation.

The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation. Further, the names of the suspects were not disclosed.

Kuchlak, in the outskirts of Quetta, is home to thousands of Afghan refugees.

Security around Quetta has been put on high alert following the dastardly attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, while security forces have carried out several search operations on militant hideouts.