Quetta, 20 September (H.S.): Security forces killed five militants in an exchange of fire on the N-25 National Highway near Kalat and rescued 23 hostages. The information was provided by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media and public-relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

According to The News, the ISPR issued a statement this morning stating that security forces had thwarted an attempt by militants to block traffic and disrupt the movement of vehicles. Five militants were killed and 23 hostages were rescued during the operation.

According to the statement, the militants had established a temporary checkpoint on the highway to abduct passengers, extort money and seize vehicles. After receiving information about the blockade, security forces reached the area and engaged the militants in an exchange of fire, killing five of them. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the checkpoint.

According to the ISPR, six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered from the scene. The operation was carried out as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.

On Saturday, security sources said that security forces had killed 11 militants in separate operations in the Panjgur and Chagai districts.

According to the sources, five militants were killed in the Gowargo area of Panjgur, while six others were killed in the Aminabad and Siah Chang areas of Chagai.

Despite these operations, Balochistan continues to remain a major centre of violence. Security sources said militants targeted a passenger vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) on College Road in Kharan, injuring 10 workers. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar