5 militants killed, 23 abductees rescued by security forces in SW Pakistan: military
Summary
Pakistani security forces killed five militants and rescued 23 abducted civilians in an operation along the N-25 highway near Kalat in Balochistan. The military said the militants had tried to set up an illegal checkpoint to abduct travelers for ransom and seize vehicles.
Key Points
- Security forces killed five militants during an operation along the Pakistan Highway (N-25) near Kalat in Balochistan.
- Troops rescued 23 abducted civilians and recovered six trucks, three buses and two cars seized by the militants.
- The operation began after militants tried to set up an illegal checkpoint to extort money, hijack vehicles and abduct travelers for ransom.
- The military said clearance operations were continuing in surrounding areas to remove any remaining militants and secure the highway.
