QUETTA: The body of Umer Javed, who was kidnapped along with his cousin Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza from Ziarat four days ago, was recovered during an operation by security forces in Ziarat’s Warchoom area, ISPR said on Saturday.

Mr Javed’s body was found in a drain some 5km from Warchoom towards the Khalifat mountains, the military’s media wing said in a statement, adding that he was probably killed immediately after abduction.

Security forces also identified and cleared another “hideout of terrorists” during the operation against the killers of Lt Col Mirza and Mr Javed.

“During the exchange of fire, two terrorists have been killed and arms and ammunition have been recovered,” ISPR said. “After the clearance of the hideout, the entire area was sanitised,” during which Mr Javed’s body was found, it said.

The forces, who swooped down on attackers’ hideouts in the mountains near Ziarat after Thursday midnight, continue to comb the area for the remaining three to four assailants who are still on the run.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2022