QUETTA: Two suicide bombers were killed during a security forces' operation in Balochistan's Northern Zhob district on Saturday morning.

A security officer, who requested anonymity, told Dawn that forces conducted an operation against militants in the Gawal Ismailzai area of Zhob.

"One suicide bomber blew himself up while the other one was killed by security forces," he said.

Security forces and militants also exchanged fire during the operation. More troops were called in the area to apprehend the militants involved in acts of targeted killings, kidnapping and bomb explosions, the officer added.

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Security forces also recovered 500 bombs, 200 kilograms of explosives, 50 jackets, 13 rocket launchers and other weapons during the operation. The officer stated that security forces also defused bombs planted by militants in the area.

Gawal Ismailzai is close to Pakistan's volatile tribal region of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). The area is considered to be a transit route for militants, facing mounting pressure on the part of armed forces in operation Zarb-i-Azb.

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