ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: Pakistani security forces killed five militants and rescued 23 abducted civilians during an operation along a key highway in the country's southwest Balochistan province, the military said on Sunday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said in a statement that the operation was launched after militants attempted to set up an illegal checkpoint on the Pakistan Highway (N-25) near Kalat on Friday night to abduct travelers for ransom, extort money and hijack vehicles.
Security forces responded swiftly, triggering an intense exchange of fire in which five militants were killed, said the military.
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Troops also raided a militant hideout and rescued 23 abductees, while recovering six trucks, three buses and two cars that had allegedly been seized by the militants, according to the ISPR.
A large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered during the operation, the military said.
The military added that clearance operations were continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining militants and ensure the safety of local residents and traffic along the strategic national highway.
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