QUETTA: Security forces killed at least 12 suspected militants belonging to two banned organisations during operations in Quetta and Sui area of Dera Bugti on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

According to officials, two important militant leaders were among the dead. A Frontier Corps soldier was injured.

Helicopters also took part in the Sui operation.

A spokesman for the FC Balochistan said troops launched an operation on intelligence reports about presence of militants of a banned organisation in Rustam Darbar and Drinjan Nullah areas of Sui in Dera Bugti district.

When the troops entered the difficult mountainous area the militants opened fire. The soldiers fired back.

“A heavy gunbattle ensued which continued for several hours, resulting in the death of eight militants, including their commander,” the FC spokesman claimed. He said the militants who belonged to the banned Baloch Republican Army used rockets, hand-grenades and mortars.

Their commander was identified as Chella Reesh.

One militant was also arrested from the area.

The FC spokesman claimed that the militants were planning to carry out terrorist attacks. “They were involved in attacking security forces and blowing up gas pipelines, power pylons and railway tracks in Sibi, Nasirabad and Dera Bugti districts,” he said, adding that a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was found in their hideouts and camps which had been destroyed during the operation.

Meanwhile, four suspected militants, including a commander of the banned Lashker-i-Jhangvi, were killed during the operation in Mian-Ghundi, a locality in the outskirts of Quetta, on Tuesday late night.

According to officials, the action was taken after FC and intelligence personnel intercepted a vehicle in Mian-Ghundi, about 30km from the provincial capital. The militants, who were using an infrequent route to enter the city, opened fire on the personnel and tried to escape.

The FC spokesman said the troops cordoned off the area and launched an operation. A heavy exchange of fire took place which continued for three fours. “Four armed militants, including their commander, were killed,” the spokesman said, adding that a soldier was injured.

“The militants killed were coming from Mastung to carry out attacks on security forces in Quetta,” he claimed.

He said they were involved in suicide bombings in Hazara town and attacks on convoys of Shia pilgrims and security forces in Quetta and other areas.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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