QUETTA: Five suspected militants were killed during a search operation in Dear Bugti district on Saturday, official sources said.

According to the sources, security forces on an intelligence report about the presence of suspected militants in the Bhambhoor area launched the operation and when they started moving towards their hideouts after cordoning off the remote area, the militants opened fire.

“A heavy exchange of fire took place, resulting in killing of five suspected militants,” the sources claimed.

They said 28 suspects were taken into custody and a large cache of illegal arms and ammunition was seized.

Two dozen militants surrender, abandon armed struggle against the state

The deceased were said to be involved in attacks on security forces and government installations.

Meanwhile, around two dozen militants surrendered to Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti and senior Frontier Corps officials in Dera Bugti and announced abandoning their armed struggle against the state.

A senior fighter of a banned militant organisation Bojla Bugti said he and his colleagues had decided to join mainstream politics to work for the development of the province and betterment of people who were facing hardship.

“We were misguided by our so-called leaders who are enjoying a luxurious life abroad,” Bojla Bugti said.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2018