Karachi: At least six militants were killed and eight others captured on Saturday during raids in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province.
The security forces also seized heavy rocket launchers, explosives, weapons and ammunition from different places.
"The raids took place in the mountainous region of Bolan district where insurgents and militants are believed to have safe hide outs," a security official said.
The arrested militants were later shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
The raids were carried out after a surge in attacks on government installations and officials in recent days in parts of the province.
The capital city of Quetta in particular has been the target of increasing violence and bomb attacks aimed at law enforcement agencies, government officials and minorities and settlers from other provinces.
Earlier this week, five persons were shot dead in cold blood by attackers in a busy market of Quetta. Fears have also grown that the Islamic State terror group is also increasing its footprints in the province which has its borders with Iran and Afghanistan.
