QUETTA: At least 10 suspected terrorists, including a commander, were killed in heavy exchange of fire with security forces during an operation in the Hoshab area of Balochistan.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that security forces conducted the operation after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the Hoshab area of Kech district.

The ISPR added that once the troops started cordoning off the area, terrorists tried to flee their hideout and opened indiscriminate fire. A heavy exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the killing of 10 terrorists, including their commander Master Asif alias Mukesh.

“These terrorists were involved in recent attacks on security forces…in Turbat and Pasni areas,” the ISPR said.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered, it said, adding that these [weapons] were to be used against security forces.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2022