Terror backlash: FC claims killing 8 suspected militants in search operations

Two suspected militants were also arrested. Cache of arms recovered

QUETTA: The Frontier Corps in Balochistan launched a search operation, a day after the deadly attack on the Ismaili community in Karachi, resulting in the deaths of eight suspected militants were killed and arrest of two others.

The raids were carried out in Mastung, Kalat and Panjgur districts. Three security personnel were also injured in the operation.

“Around four militants were killed and three security personnel sustained injures in exchange of fire,” Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan spokesperson Khan Wassy said, adding that as many as 400 personnel and a helicopter had taken part in the operation.

Read: FC arrest 4 suspected terrorists in Quetta search operation

Wassay said that officials had carried out search in Ispilnji area of Mastung; Bhoi and Johan areas of Kalat following tip offs. “FC destroyed camps and explosive laden vehicle of the militants in the districts.”

The law enforcement agency claimed that they had recovered a huge cache of arms comprising 12 sub-machine guns, 25 kilogrammes of explosive material and 20 hand-grenades from the custody of militants.

Wassy claimed that “those killed were involved in torching of oil tankers designated for Sandik projects and attacks on security forces in Nushki and other incidents”.

Read: FC search operation: 5 militants killed in Mastung gunfight

Separately, two suspected militants were killed when law enforcement agencies were conducting a search operation in Tusp, Panjgur district of Balochistan.

“FC killed two militants in return of fire and recovered arms from their possession,” the LEA said in a statement.

It maintained that in yet another action, FC had arrested activists possessing a flag of the banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) in Ormara, Gwadar district.

Read: Search operation: Militant killed in encounter, four BLF men held from Hub

They further claimed to have recovered two SMGs with 12 magazines as well as two hand-grenades.

IG FC Major General Sher Afgan said they would continue taking action until the complete elimination of militancy from the province.