QUETTA, Sept 20: A pickup loaded with illegal arms and ammunition and drugs exploded in the Zhob area during heavy firing between Zhob Militia and smugglers on Tuesday night.

According to sources, personnel of Zhob Militia, a wing of Frontier Corps, were patrolling in Darya Khanzai area near Afghan border when they saw a suspicious pickup.

The security forces signalled the vehicle to stop but the driver tried to speed it up. When the security personnel tried to intercept the pickup, armed men sitting in it, opened fire which was returned by the security forces. The exchange of fire continued for about one hour.

During firing, the pickup caught fire which resulted in a huge explosion. However, the smugglers managed to escape in the mountains taking the benefit of darkness.

The Zhob Militia cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.