QUETTA: At least 13 suspected militants were killed during an exchange of fire with Frontier Corps (FC) personnel in Balochistan's Awaran district on Tuesday morning.

FC Spokesman Khan Wasey said security forces launched an operation against miscreants in different areas of Mashkay tehsil of Awaran district during which an exchange of fire took place with suspected militants.

Subsequently 13 militants were killed. "Some key commanders were also killed during the action," Wasey said. Security forces also recovered weapons from their possession.

An FC soldier was killed and two security personnel were also injured during the exchange of fire with the militants, the FC spokesman added.

However, Wasey's claim could not be verified by the district administration.

Security forces have intensified their actions in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan after the announcement of National Action Plan to combat terrorism in the country.