QUETTA: Security forces on Friday claimed to have arrested 27 'militants', including foreigners, during a combing operation in the Kanak area of Balochistan's Mastung district.

A security official who declined to be named told DawnNews the arrested were involved in the Quetta suicide blast on a hospital which left more than 70 people dead on August 8. He said the arrested militants include nine foreigners and 18 locals.

Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the militants, who were then shifted to an unknown location for interrogation.

The security official said all arrested 'militants' belonged to a banned organisation and were also involved in a series of bombings and targeted killings in the province.

Security forces have been conducting raids in various parts of Balochistan as part of ongoing combing operations in the aftermath of the deadly bombing.