QUETTA: A suspected militant allegedly involved in bombing of a railway track near Hirak area of Bolan district was killed in an exchange of fire with members of security forces during a search operation in Machh area of Balochistan on Sunday.

Official sources said that Frontier Corps personnel on intelligence information conducted a search operation in the Gani-Pera area of Machh. Members of security forces cordoned off the area identified in the report and launched the operation.

The armed militants present in the area opened fire on security personnel, triggering a heavy exchange of fire which continued for an hour, resulting in the death of the militant on the spot. Other militants escaped from the area, the sources said.

An FC spokesman said the militant killed in the operation belonged to a banned organisation and was involved in blowing up the railway track between Machh and Hirak area that linked Quetta with the rest of the country.

“The terrorist killed in the operation conducted two blasts at the main railway track suspending train service for several hours,” security officials said, adding that he was also involved in the attack on security forces and other subversive activities in the area.

The Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express coming from Quetta escaped the bombing at the railway track. Twin blasts took place when the train was at some distance from the Hirak Railway Station.

The driver of the train stopped the train using emergency brakes.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2018