QUETTA: At least six “armed militants” were killed in a heavy exchange of fire with security forces in the Hoshab area of Kech district during an operation on Friday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

A soldier, Hawaldar Hidayatullah, embraced martyrdom while another got injured during the exchange of fire.

Security forces conducted the operation based on information that a “terrorist group” was on the move on motorcycles from Kech to Panjgur.

The forces immediately cordoned off the area and combed it to apprehend the militants. However, once surrounded, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the raiding party. A heavy exchange of fire ensued, in which six terrorists were killed and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.

Hawaldar Hidayatullah from Lakki Marwat embraced martyrdom while Naik Mir Muhammad from Waziristan got injured during the operation.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2022