Seven Levies men killed, Spaniard wounded in Mastung clash
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QUETTA: At least seven Levies personnel were killed and ten others, including a Spanish tourist, wounded as a militant kidnapping bid was foiled in Koshak area of Balochistan, DawnNews reported.
Asad ur Rehman Gailani, the Home Secretary Balochistan said the militants opened fire at levies personnel escorting a Spanish tourist in Darin Garh area of Mastung. "Militants wanted to kidnap the Spanish tourist", he added.
At least seven Levies men were killed during the clash whereas ten others including the Spanish national were wounded. The condition of the tourist was reported as critical.
Moreover, one of the attackers was also killed during the exchange of gunfire who was later identified as a Uzbek national.
The Spanish tourist was on his way from Pak-Iran border Taftan to Quetta when the militants tried to abduct him.
"The Spanish tourist is stable and doctors are providing medical treatment to him in a hospital", Gailani said.
All injuredwere shifted to Civil Hospital Mastung for medical treatment where the condition of one person was reported as critical.
The local administration sought additional deployment of Frontier Corps (FC) and Anti Terrorist Force (ATF) personnel.
Security forces launched an operation in Darin Garh area of Mastung after the incident.
The Home Secretary said Police, Levies and Frontier Corps personnel backed by two army helicopters were engaged in an operation against the militants. He said one levies personnel was also killed in the operation after the first incident.
Road linking Pakistan with neighboring Iran was giving a deserted look as result of operation by security forces. Passengers remained the worst sufferers as long queues of vehicles could be seen of awaiting vehicles.
The attack comes a day after an explosion ripped through a bus carrying Shia pilgrims in Balochistan's restive Mastung district, killing 24 people.
Mastung is considered to be one of the most sensitive districts of Balochistan. Militants have frequently targeted Shia pilgrims, security forces and national installations in the area since more than a decade.
