QUETTA, Oct 20: The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed that at least 12 tribesmen were killed by security forces in an operation

in the Bambhor and Zain Koh areas of Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts.

Calling over a satellite phone from an unknown location, Baloch Liberation Army spokesman Beberg Baloch told newsmen in the Quetta Press Club on Saturday that security forces had accelerated operations in the Marri Bugti areas in the last few days and were attacking tribesmen by using helicopters.

“Twelve people, including women and children, have been killed in the operation,” Baloch claimed, adding that a large number of livestock were also killed in the air strike.

He warned that if security forces did not stop killing people, the BLA would retaliate.

Official sources, however, denied launching of any fresh operation and said: “No casualties occurred in recent days in any area of Dear Bugti and Kohlu districts.”