Top leader of Balochistan separatist outfit killed in Pakistan

KARACHI: A top leader of a banned separatist outfit and four other militants have been killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said commander of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Abdul Manan, a doctor-turned militant, was involved in many attacks on security forces.

The minister said Manan and the four others were killed yesterday in a gun battle with security forces in Kanak area of Mastung district.

"He was a senior leader behind the insurgency in the province and also headed the Baluch National Movement, an organisation which openly supported militants," the minister said.

Manan was also involved in subversive activities and in attacks on security forces and government installations, he said.

Inspector General of Police Balochistan, Ahsan Mahboob said that security forces had conducted a search operation in the Killi Datu area of Mastung during which an exchange of fire took place between the security personnel and militants in which Manan and four others were killed.

Bugti said subversive activities had been stepped up in a bid to sabotage the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.