QUETTA: Security forces arrested five suspected militants, including a key Taliban commander, on Monday from the Kuchlak area of Quetta, sources said.

According to official sources, security forces conducted a raid in Kuchlak during which they arrested five suspected militants, including a key commander. The arrested suspects also included two brothers.

Moreover, heavy weapons were recovered from the militants' possession, sources added.

The militants are being interrogated at an undisclosed location.

"At this point in time, we can not disclose the identity of the militants," a security official, who declined to be named, told Dawn.

It is not yet clear if the militants belonged to the Afghan Taliban or the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

With the deadly Taliban attack on Peshawar's Army Public School, the army offensive against militants appears to be gearing up after the country's political and military leadership agreed on a full-blown operation.

Security forces have launched a crackdown against Taliban insurgents operating in northern parts of Balochistan.

Eight Taliban insurgents, including their key commander, were killed in an operation in Balochistan's Ziarat district on Friday. Security forces said the dead militants were affiliated with TTP.

Meanwhile, security around all educational institutions and vital national installations has been beefed up in the aftermath of recent arrests.

Apart from police and Levies force, personnel of the Frontier Corps have also been deployed outside important installations.