Eight terrorists killed in Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan

Islamabad, Oct 18 (KUNA) -- The Pakistani military announced on Sunday that security forces killed at least eight terrorists in three separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan. The military’s media wing said in a statement that security forces carried out the three operations based on intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists in the districts of Quetta, Nasirabad (Nushki), and Khuzdar in Balochistan. The statement clarified that five terrorists were killed when security forces foiled their attempt to set up an illegal checkpoint to disrupt traffic in the Bangpai area of Quetta district. It added that forces raided a terrorist hideout in Nasirabad district, where two of them were killed after intense gunfire exchanges, and weapons and ammunition in their possession were seized. In another operation, security forces targeted a terrorist hideout in Khuzdar district, resulting in the death of one terrorist and the seizure of approximately 490 kilograms of explosives. The statement reaffirmed that the campaign by Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies against terrorism would continue with full force to eliminate the terrorist threat, which is supported and nurtured from abroad. For his part, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces in a statement for the high level of professionalism they demonstrated in eliminating eight terrorists and seizing weapons and explosives during the intelligence-based operations in the three areas. (End) S.B.K./F.D.S.