QUETTA, Jan 31: The Frontier Corps killed at least six suspected militants and captured five others in a pre-dawn operation in the Mangocher area of Kalat district on Thursday.

“The militants belonged to the banned Baloch Liberation Army,” an FC spokesman said, adding that a camp used by three proscribed organisations — BLA, Baloch Republican Army and United Baloch Army — for terrorist activities was also destroyed. “FC personnel conducted the operation after receiving information that the BLA had set up its camp in the Durgzai area where it plans bomb blasts and sabotage activities and attacks on security forces.”

He said that suspected militants opened fire at the FC personnel who retaliated. The spokesman said five suspected militants had been handed over to the Levies force.

Akhtar Hussain Langov, a leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, condemned the operation and said innocent people were killed.—Staff Correspondent