QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed 15 suspected militants in a clearance operation after they launched an overnight attack on a police check post in Balochistan’s Ziarat district, officials said on Tuesday.
The attackers of the Fitna al Khawarij targeted the police post in the Kach Mangi area in an apparent attempt to penetrate the area and attack civilians, according to security officials.
Police personnel stationed at the post put up strong resistance, triggering an hours-long gun battle. Nine police officers, including two station house officers (SHOs), were killed while defending the post, officials said.
Security forces, backed by the Balochistan Police and other law enforcement agencies, later launched a coordinated clearance operation in the area. Officials said the operation killed 15 suspected militants and prevented them from advancing further.
Authorities said the operation restored control of the area and that search operations were continuing to ensure no militants remained in the vicinity.
Officials paid tribute to the nine police personnel killed in the attack, describing their actions as instrumental in preventing the assailants from overrunning the check post.
They said intelligence-based operations would continue across Balochistan to dismantle militant networks and strengthen security.
The attack was the latest in a series of militant incidents in the province, where Pakistani security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations in recent months.
