QUETTA/GWADAR: Six suspected militants and two soldiers were killed in three clashes between security forces and militants in different areas of Balochistan on Tuesday.

Three suspects were arrested and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition was seized by paramilitary troops.

Official sources said that a security convoy was going from Mashkay to Jahoo area of Awaran district when it came under fire. Security forces fired back and the gun battle, which lasted for several hours, left four militants dead.

In a clash in Zarin Bug area in Kech district, two security personnel and a suspected militant were killed.

A spokesman for the Frontier Corps said that troops chased the perpetrators of Monday’s rocket attack on an air traffic control station in the Pasni area of Gwadar and surrounded them in Zarin Bug, 80km from Gwadar.

In a heavy exchange of fire between FC troops and militants in the mountainous area, one militant and two soldiers were killed and two militants were arrested, the FC spokesman said,

Meanwhile, FC troops killed one militant and arrested another in an encounter in the mountainous area of Aghbarg in Ziarat district.

“The troops launched a search operation for militants belonging to a banned religious extremist organisation who were involved in attacking the vehicle of the district police officer of Sherani in Loralai area and killing three policemen in March,” the spokesman said.

When the militants saw troops approaching their hideout, they opened fire and in the ensuing clash one militant died and another was injured.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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