QUETTA: Two suspected militants were killed in an `encounter’ with security forces in Awaran area of Balochistan on Thursday.

A spokesman for the Frontier Corps Balochistan said that FC personnel launched a search operation in hilly areas of Awaran on intelligence that armed militants were hiding there. The FC men cordoned the area on which armed men opened fire, he said.

A heavy exchange of fire continued for two hours, resulting in death of two suspected militants. A large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested two suspects from Barkhan area who were identified as Noor Muhammad and Noor Ali. They were taken into custody during patrolling in Barkhan town and later handed over to the authorities concerned for interrogation.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2015