ISLAMABAD: Eight militants were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations carried out in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, said the provincial counterterrorism department (CTD) on Saturday, adding that a person abducted by militants last month was safely recovered during one of the operations.
According to a CTD statement, the initial operation was carried out in Quetta during which three Daesh militants were killed, while the second operation led to the death of five other militants in Washuk district's Wasima Town.
“An exchange of fire took place during both operations as a result of which eight terrorists were killed,” the statement said.
“A person named Abu Bakr, who was abducted from Quetta a month ago, was also safely recovered from the hideout of the terrorists during the operation.”
An investigation has been launched following the recovery of substantial quantities of arms and ammunition from the hideouts of the dead militants.
Earlier this week, the CTD reported the killing of four militants associated with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an operation in Balochistan's Pishin district. Among them, the CTD added, was a skilled sharpshooter, Shakar Din, who was also known as Umar Khalid.
Balochistan shares a porous border with Iran and Afghanistan and has witnessed a prolonged low-level insurgency led by Baloch separatists who blame Pakistan’s federal government for exploiting the province’s mineral resources without giving back much in return.
Their claim has been refuted by the Pakistani state.