QUETTA: Security forces claimed to have killed the al Qaeda chief of Balochistan and South Punjab, Omar Abdul Latif (alias Luqman), in Balochistan's Chaghi district near the Pak-Afghan border on Sunday.

Home Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti while addressing a press conference said that acting on a tip off, security forces had conducted an operation during which the wife of the al Qaeda militant commander was also arrested.

The wife of the dead al Qaeda commander was identified as Tayyaba alias Freeha Baji. Two children of the alleged militant commander were also taken into custody for interrogation.

"Security personnel are interrogating the commander's wife," Bugti said adding that, "The al Qaeda commander had fled from neighboring Afghanistan to Pakistan eight or ten months back."

The Home Minister further said, "Omar Abdul Latif was striving to establish al Qaeda Sub-Continent Center here. Major terror bid has been foiled in Balochistan."

Sarfaraz Bugti said that as part of National Action Plan (NAP), an operation was under way against terrorists and terrorists' organisations in Balochistan.

He added that the situation in the province had now improved as result of successful actions by security forces.

The Home Minister said, "Terrorism would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against terrorists."

During the past, intelligence agencies have also arrested high profile al Qaeda militants from Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.