PHOTO: EXPRESS

QUETTA: Nine terrorists were killed during a search operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Kabo Koh Mehran area of Mastung district, Balochistan on Thursday.



Four security personnel also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire during the operation launched to bust terrorist hideouts in Balochistan.



“On a tip-off, the CTD conducted a raid in the Kabo Koh Mehran area of Mastung district. However, terrorists hiding in the area opened fire on the security forces,” said CTD sources, confirming that nine hardcore terrorists had been killed in the exchange of fire.



The terrorists, belonging to various armed groups, were involved in carrying out attacks on security forces and citizens of Balochistan, said the sources.



“A heavy cache of arms and explosive material, meant for committing acts of terror in Balochistan, have been seized in the operation,” they added.



The four CTD personnel injured during the exchange of fire with terrorists were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.



The bodies of the terrorists have been shifted to the hospital for identification.



On May 11 (Saturday), three terrorists attacked the Pearl Continental in Gwadar, Balochistan, in which five people, including a Pakistan Navy soldier, were martyred.



During the clearance operation conducted by security forces, which lasted until Sunday afternoon, all the three terrorists were killed.



On Monday (May 13) night, at least four policemen were martyred and 12 others, including policemen, were injured in a blast near a mosque in the Satellite Town area of Quetta.



Police said an improvised explosive device planted in a motorcycle went off close to a police mobile parked outside the mosque for security during traveeh prayers.



It is being said that unidentified persons parked the explosive-laden motorcycle near the mosque and later detonated it by remote control.