BY: ANI Correspondent:
QUETTA — Security forces killed five terrorists and safely recovered 23 abducted persons during an operation along the N-25 Karachi-Chaman Highway near Kalat, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
According to the military's media wing, the terrorists had established an illegal checkpoint on the highway with the reported objective of abducting people for ransom, extortion and snatching vehicles.
Security forces responded after receiving information about the terrorist activity and engaged the militants in an intense exchange of fire. Five terrorists were killed during the operation.
ISPR said 23 abducted individuals were recovered from the terrorists' hideout. Security forces also recovered six trucks, three buses and two cars from the site, along with weapons, ammunition and explosives.
A sanitisation operation was continuing in the surrounding areas to ensure the safety of the local population and secure the national highway.
The operation comes amid intensified counter-terrorism activities in Balochistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for the operation and reiterated the government's resolve to continue action against terrorism.
