QUETTA: Security forces detained at least 25 suspected individuals during a full scale operation in Mastung's Kanak and Derringer areas on Friday, DawnNews reported.

The operation was launched Friday morning by security forces which included personnel from the Frontier Corps, police, the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) and Levies and recruits from Balochistan Constabulary.

The forces are also being assisted by helicopters and armoured personnel carriers.

Meanwhile, the entry and exit points of Kanak and Derringer were sealed shortly before the search operation went underway.

The operation began hours after the Shia Hazara community agreed to end its protest sit-in after Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan assured them that strict action would be taken against elements who carried out the Mastung bomb attack on pilgrims which left at least 25 Hazara people dead.

Hundreds of Hazara men, women and children had held a protest sit-in in Quetta's Shuhada chowk for about 48 hours in extremely cold weather with sub-zero temperatures at night on Sunday.

Sit-ins and demonstrations had also been held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.