QUETTA, Jan 20: Security forces continued an operation against militants in different areas of Kohlu district along the border of Sibi on Saturday and arrested dozens of people.

Helicopters are reported to have dropped security forces personnel in Jalari, Babar Kach, Sangan and other areas, who conducted a search operation and took at least 46 people into custody for interrogation.

Sources said helicopter gunships targeted places from where the forces had come under heavy fire. However, no casualty was reported.

An exchange of fire was reported in some areas between the militants and the security forces.

The sources said the security forces found the area infested with landmines and began cleaning it.

They said weapons and ammunition had been found dumped in hideouts.

A spokesman for the Anjuman Ittehad Marri said the operation had been continuing for the past three days and scores of people had been killed, injured and arrested. He said the security forces had established 26 new checkpoints and more troops were reaching the area.