Islamabad: At least 29 militants including those of the dreaded Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan outfit have been killed in military operations in the country’s restive Balochistan province during past one month.
The militants killed belonged to the outlawed Baloch insurgent groups and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). They were targeted in different districts of the province.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Brigadier Mohammad Tahir of Frontier Corps provided details of the operation against the militants and miscreants, the Express Tribune reported.
“Frontier Corps (FC) killed 29 militants associated with the Baloch separatist groups and the TTP, including two suicide bombers, during the search operation in the province,” they said.
Bugti said TTP militants were sneaking into Balochistan from North Waziristan where ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ operation is in its decisive phase, but they were not allowed by the FC to set up camps in the province.
He said the FC carried out the search operation in various districts including Kalat, Mastung, Awaran, Turbat, Zhob, Loralai and Killa Abdullah, killing some notorious militants.
The troops also arrested six insurgents belonging to different militant groups who were involved in attack on security forces, kidnapping of Frontier Work Organisation’s workers and targeted killing of the innocent people, he added.
The FC have seized 1,350 kg of explosive material, 12 suicide jackets, six RPG7, 40 IEDs, 12 anti-personnel mines, six bombs, two SMGs, 50 hand-grenades and 100 detonators.
South western province of Balochistan is facing a low-level insurgency by Baloch nationalists who want greater control over mineral resources. The law and order situation has been compounded by the presence of Taliban militants who attack the forces and civilians.
PTI
