QUETTA: At least 13 suspected militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Awaran area of Balochistan on Monday.

According to official sources, security forces launched a search operation in Barnoot area following an attack on Sunday night on a patrol party.

Militants opened fire on the security personnel when they reached near their camp. Soldiers fired back and 13 militants were killed in the ensuing encounter. The security personnel took hold of the corpses.

Several militants were injured but they were taken away by their fleeing accomplices.

Sources claimed that security forces did not suffer any casualty in the day-long gunbattle.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from the militants’ camp which was destroyed.

Militants had attacked a contingent of security forces in Tankour area of Awaran district on Sunday night. Three attackers were killed when soldiers fired back.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2015