QUETTA, Jan 19: Security forces destroyed at least four camps of tribal militants and arrested 30 people during an operation launched in Kohlu and Sibi districts on Friday. According to sources, the security forces started the crackdown in Babar Kach, Jalari, Sangan and Pir Darbar areas in the morning.

They said helicopter gunships were seen targeting the ‘farari’ camps.

Troops also landed in the areas and arrested around 30 armed men, 21 of them injured. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition was seized, the sources said.

However, a television channel quoted an official of the ISPR in Rawalpindi as saying that no big operation had been carried out.

A spokesman for the Anjuman Ittehad Marri claimed that 18 people had been killed, 24 injured and 45 arrested. He alleged that the dead and injured included women and children.