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| Security forces cordoned off the area after killing of alleged suicide bombers |
QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed five militants equipped with suicide vests, three of them women, in a fire fight, what they said officials said were looking for a target to attack.
The incident took place near a security post of Kharotabad Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.
“The militants armed with guns and bombs were travelling in a car, police intercepted them but they tried to flee, triggering an exchange of fire. All five attackers have been killed,” city police chief Daud Junejo said.
The group threw hand grenades at the checkpost in Quetta’s Kharotabad neighbourhood and opened fire on the troops inside, he said, adding that it was not their planned target and they had been travelling on the airport road.
“The troops retaliated and killed all of them,” he said. “No security official was hurt, it’s all ok, it’s over now.”
Colonel Faisal Shehzad, a paramilitary Frontier Corps officer said it appeared the militants were killed before they could reach their objective.
