ISLAMABAD, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces killed eight militants during an intelligence-based operation in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the military said in a statement on Thursday.
The operation was launched on Wednesday in Kalat district on reports about the presence of militants belonging to the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in the statement.
During the operation, security forces engaged the militants' hideout, leading to an intense exchange of fire, after which the militants were killed, the statement said.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the site, while the militants were said to be involved in several terrorist activities in the area.
The ISPR added that sanitization operations are underway to eliminate any remaining militants in the region. ■