QUETTA: Two suspected militants were killed and another, said to be a key member of a sectarian organisation, was arrested during a gun battle with law enforcement agencies in the Kanak area of Mastung district, some 60km off here, on Saturday.

According to official sources, personnel of law enforcement and intelligence agencies acted on a tip-off about the presence of armed militants and launched a search operation in the area. The militants opened fire on security forces when they cordoned off the area. The soldiers returned fire.

“Two militants were killed and another arrested in the clash which lasted for more than one hour,” security officials said. The arrested suspect was involved in incidents of targeted killing in Quetta and Mastung, they added.

The slain and arrested militants belonged to the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, they said.

The arrested suspect was handed over to the authorities concerned for interrogation.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2016