Security forces have killed another three militants in the ongoing operation in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, state media reported on Saturday.
As per the details, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the development, praising the professionalism of security forces.
The latest killings bring the total number of militants killed since the operation began to 13 as six were killed on Thursday and four more the following day.
The offensive, named Operation Al-Azm, was launched under an indefinite curfew after gunmen attacked a Karachi-bound coach travelling from Quetta on Wednesday, killing three passengers and wounding five others.
Security officials said several hideouts belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan had been destroyed, along with weapons, ammunition and materials used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Officials added that several militants had reportedly been injured during the operation.
Naqvi said security forces would continue operations “until terrorism was eliminated from Balochistan”.
On Thursday, alongside six militant deaths, officials said two female suicide bombers and several suspected facilitators were arrested.
The same day, District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his guard were shot dead, while another judge was among two people injured, when gunmen attacked them en route to Mastung.
During a clearance operation, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove told political and tribal leaders on Friday, the parliament remained the most effective platform for addressing grievances, reaffirming the government’s commitment to dialogue.
It merits a mention that the violence follows a wave of major attacks earlier this month that triggered wider counterterrorism operations, including Operation Shaban, in which security sources said 91 militants were killed between July 5 and 16, taking the provincial toll to 129 during that period.
