QUETTA: Three suspected militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces during two separate search operations in Harnai and Nasirabad districts on Tuesday, said officials.

They said that upon receiving intelligence that some alleged militants were present in the Tor-Ghar area of Harnai district, the security forces reached the area.

They began a search operation during which a heavy exchange of fire took place between the suspects and security personnel. As a result, two of the three suspected militants were killed.

The third suspect managed to escape. However, a search of the area was continuing to track him down, said officials.

Giving further details about the alleged militants, authorities said that one of them whose name they said was Chakar Chalgari was a key commander of a proscribed organisation and the other was Qadir Chalgari.

Both of them along with the escaped suspect were allegedly involved in attacking security forces, extortion from mine-owners and killing of a local coalmine contractor.

In another operation conducted jointly by the Counter Terrorism Department and Frontier Corps, a suspected militant was killed in Naseerabad district, said security officials.

According to them, the alleged militant was found to be planting an explosive device in a gas pipeline in Tehsil Chatter area when he was shot dead by security forces.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2020