QUETTA: Two suspected militants were killed on Sunday during an exchange of fire with security forces in Balochistan's Washuk district.

Security sources said that an intelligence-based search operation was being conducted in the Balochabad and Basima areas of Washuk district when militants opened fire. Frontier Corps resorted to retaliatory firing during which two 'militants' were killed.

Frontier Corps Spokesman Khan Wasay said the militants belonged to a banned militant organisation and had been involved in attacks against security forces and civilians.

"Four 'miscreants' were also apprehended," Wasay said, adding that weapons had also been recovered from the possession of the arrested men.

The suspects were shifted to undisclosed locations for interrogation.

In August, Inspector General FC in Balochistan Major General Sher Afgun said that peace had been restored in most parts of Balochistan.

"No private lashkar (armed group) will be allowed to work in any area to cause disturbances in the province," he said.

He added that the FC would take action against armed groups if they appeared in the area or caused any trouble. According to the FC’s inspector general (IG), some areas of Balochistan, including Panjgur, Awaran and Turbat had been facing an insurgency like situation, but some semblance of normality had returned to these places, too.

He said the militants had been confined to their hideouts and while some had surrendered, some had been killed during security operations.

According to the IG, FC personnel have been deployed all over the province to fight insurgents and criminals. “Even in Quetta city, four wings of the FC have been deployed to maintain law and order,” he said.

People of the areas where insurgents and militants were present were cooperating with security forces to get peace restored in their neighbourhoods, the FC chief added.

Also read: Peace restored in most of Balochistan, claims FC’s IG