BRA commander among 13 killed in Kalat raid

FC destroys two camps, three explosive-laden vehicles and four motorcycles

QUETTA: Paramilitary troops claim to have killed 13 militants – including a commander of a proscribed Baloch separatist group – during an intelligence-based raid in the Kalat district of the volatile Balochistan province on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off the Frontier Corps mounted a search operation in the Johan area of Kalat on Thursday, a spokesperson for the paramilitary force said. The operation culminated on Friday with the death of 13 militants, he added. Eight suspected militants were killed a day earlier. Six militants and four paramilitary soldiers were also wounded in a gunfight triggered by the search operation.

A local commander of Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), identified as Shams, was among the fatalities. The FC troops also arrested four militants allegedly involved in carrying out deadly attacks on public transport and oil tankers on the RCD Highway. The FC spokesman said two camps, three explosive-laden vehicles and four motorcycles were destroyed during the operation.

IGFC Maj Gen Sher Afgun appreciated the efforts of FC soldiers for carrying out a successful operation against anti-state elements. “The FC will continue its efforts until the last militant is eliminated,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2015.