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16 killed in clashes with security forces in SW Pakistan

08 June 2012 21:19 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 16 people including 13 militants were killed and several others got injured in clashes between security forces and militants in Pakistan’s southwest district of Chaghi on Friday evening, local media reported, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

According to the report by local Urdu TV channel Geo, the clashes broke out when a group of unknown armed gunmen killed the son of a tribal elder and opened fire on the local tribal people, creating unrest in Zardakan area of Chaghi, a main town in the country’s southwest province of Balochistan

Paramilitary troops chased the militants and gunned down 13 of them, three tribal people were also killed during the exchange of firing.

Residents said that security forces seized several vehicles and a huge cache of arms from the custody of militants.

No loss of life was reported on the side of security forces.

Identities of the attackers are not known yet, but militants affiliated with separatist movements were believed to be involved in such kind of activities in the past.

Early on Thursday, Information Minister of Balochistan, Mohammad Younas Mullazai said that a military operation would be launched against the miscreants involved in deteriorating the law and order situation in the province.