Army officer, 3 militants killed in operation in SW Pakistan

An army officer and three militants were killed during a security operation in PakistanÂ's southwestern Balochistan province, said the military on Wednesday. Security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Sambaza in BalochistanÂ's Zhob district, according to a press release issued by Pakistan militaryÂ's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). The troops effectively engaged the militants, killing three of them, the ISPR said, adding that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them. "During the intense exchange of fire, leading his troops from the front, Major Babar Khan having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom," the military said. It added that a sanitization operation was being conducted to eliminate any other militants present in the area. "Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, and such sacri fices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the releases concluded. The operations come at a time when Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terror attacks especially in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan after the banned outfit Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended the ceasefire agreement with the government last year. Source: Kuwait News Agency