Five militants killed in security operation in southwestern Pakistan

Islamabad, Sept 20 (KUNA) -- The Pakistani army announced on Sunday that five militants were killed and 23 hostages were rescued during an intensive security operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The army's media wing stated in a statement that the militants had attempted to "disrupt the peaceful movement of people on the highway near the Kalat area in the province by setting up a checkpoint with the aim of kidnapping, demanding ransom, and seizing vehicles."

It added that "security forces responded immediately" and rushed to the checkpoint, leading to an exchange of fire that resulted in the deaths of the five militants. The statement noted that security forces managed to free 23 individuals who were being held at the militants' hideout.

According to the statement, the army clarified that security forces also recovered six trucks, three buses, and two cars from the militants' hideout, in addition to finding large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. It pointed out that security forces are continuing combing operations in the area and its surroundings to track down any other armed elements, reaffirming the commitment of security forces and law enforcement agencies to eliminating "externally supported terrorism."

Previously, on Friday, the Pakistani police announced that at least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed and 50 others injured in a suicide bombing that targeted a mosque inside a police headquarters in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (End) S.B.K./F.S.