Pakistan claims over 200 militants killed in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today claimed to have killed over 200 militants and arrested 8,000 others in an operation in the restive Balochistan province since last year's Peshawar school attack.

The action was taken under the National Action Plan (NAP) devised after the deadly school attack in December last year in which over 150 people were killed, most of them students, Home Secretary of Balochistan Akbar Hussain Durrani said.

He said that 1,840 intelligence based operations have been conducted in which over 8,000 suspected militants were nabbed.

"A total of 204 terrorists, including 100 high-profile terrorists were killed by security forces during operations and raids in the province," said Durrani.

At least 530 rebels have laid down their arms under an amnesty scheme to start a normal life, he said, adding that law and order situation has improved in the province.

The home secretary also said the government has put in place better checking system to regulate cross border movements with Afghanistan.

Balochistan has been whacked due to violence by ethnic Baloch seeking greater control over resources and al-Qaeda linked militants.

Under NAP, the groups are being targeted through a systematic action by the security forces.