DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | May 04, 2024

Published 29 Mar, 2015 12:31pm

Security forces kill five militants in Mastung

QUETTA: Security forces killed five suspected militants and injured six in Balochistan's Mastung district on Sunday morning, said Spokesman Frontier Corps Khan Wasey.

The forces were backed by helicopters from the interior ministry during the search operation.

Wasey said that the miscreants were involved in attacks on security forces and had recently torched five oil tankers carrying fuel for Saindak Project in the area. The miscreants belonged to a banned separatist outfit, he added.

Know more: Miscreants set ablaze 5 tankers in Balochistan, abduct four drivers

This incident occurred a day after security forces killed four suspected militants in Mangochar area of Kalat on Saturday evening.

Security forces had launched a search operation in the area in the aftermath of attacks on oil tankers carrying fuel for a Chinese company working on the Saindak Project in Balochistan's Chaghi district.

Last year, Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch stated that the Chinese and the federal government were major beneficiaries of the Saindak Project. "China and Federal government were getting 50 per cent each share whereas Balochistan was being paid a mere 2 per cent royalty,"

Know more: Four killed in Kalat operation, weapons recovered

Mastung is considered to be a sensitive district in Balochistan. Security forces have been targets of militants in the district for over a decade, with occasional attacks on railway tracks to disrupt services and cause unrest. Members of the Hazara Shia community in Mastung have also been targeted in the past.

Also read: Militant involved in bomb attacks arrested

Read Comments

Pakistan's 'historic' lunar mission to be launched on Friday aboard China lunar probe Next Story