QUETTA: Frontier Corps claim to have killed 16 militants in Turbat – a town in Balochistan's volatile Kech district on Friday evening, an official said.

Fierce battle between armed militants and security forces was reported by local levies sources in Dasht area of Turbat earlier in the morning.

Khan Wasey, the Spokesman Frontier Corps told Dawn.com that security forces launched an operation against miscreants in Dasht. "12 terrorists have been killed in armed clashes,” he earlier had said, adding that both sides were using heavy weapons in the fire exchange.

Later, four more suspected militants were killed in the ongoing exchange of fire, security officials told Dawn.com.

“Gun battle is ongoing in Dasht since afternoon,” a levies official who requested anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the matter told Dawn.com via telephone. He said several people were injured as a result of the armed clash in mountains.

FC had also recovered arms and ammunition during the operation. “Forces timely reacted and protected the local population from terrorists,” said Wasey.

There was no confirmation of the number of injured during fierce clashes in the Balochistan's troubled area. More FC contingents were called in Dasht to bring the situation under control.

Turbat, located in Mekran belt is considered to be one of the sensitive areas of Balochistan, plagued by Baloch insurgency and sectarian attacks for last more than a decade.

Militants in the area have been targeting security forces, vital national installations and pro-government politicians for last more than a decade.