QUETTA: Nine suspected militants and two security personnel were killed in gunbattles in Kech and Kalat districts early on Wednesday, official sources said.

A six-year-old girl also lost her life in Kech, apparently in crossfire.

The clashes started between the Frontier Corps and militants when security personnel came under attack in Bal-Nagore area of Kech district, resulting in the killing of two troops.

A heavy exchange of fire continued for hours. “Eight militants have been killed in the gunbattle,” the FC spokesman said.

“Two FC soldiers have also lost their lives,” he said and claimed that Abdul Ghani, brother of a leader of the banned Baloch Republican Army Mama Bugti, was among the dead.

He claimed that the area had been cleared and a checkpost had been set up there to keep an eye on suspicious movements. He said that a search operation was under way in the area.

In the other clash, a leader of the banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) was killed in Bencha area of Kalat district.

According to the FC spokesman, troops were combing the area on the basis of intelligence that militants wanted for their involvement in various subversion activities were present there. During the search, an exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants, resulting in the killing of the BLF leader. His identity was not disclosed.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from Bencha and Bal-Nagore areas.

In a separate action, the FC personnel also seized ammunition from an area of Mastung.

Our Correspondent in Gwadar adds: Bodies of five suspected militants who had been killed in Bal-Nagore were brought to hospital.

Four of them were identified as Altaf, a resident of Bal-Nagore; Dad Jan, a resident of Darmakol Pedarak; Balaach, a resident of Syedan Bal-Nagore; and Faqeer Bugti. The body of six-year-old Smreen Fida was also brought to the hospital.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2015