Islamabad: Over 240 suspected militants have been arrested by Pakistani security forces after a search operation in the restive Balochistan province, officials said today.
Security forces carried out an overnight swoop in Mahmoodabad area of the provincial capital Quetta against the terrorists and nabbed them.
The search operation was unleashed after targeted attacks at police and other law enforcing agencies in the province, a security official said, adding that lethal weapons were also recovered in large quantity from the arrested militants.
A total of 243 suspected militants were arrested in the operation, the official said.
The arrests came after pressure was mounted on the security agencies to thwart the killing of security personnel and civilians in the province.
Last month, at least 19 passengers were killed in Mastung district and at least eight policemen were killed in two separate attacks by gunmen in Pashtunabad area of Quetta.
Baloch nationalists are said to be active in the province.
They are fighting for greater control over the resources.
Besides, militants linked with Taliban and al-Qaeda have presence in Balochistan and they frequently target the Shiites as well security forces, according to officials.
PTI
