25 rebels killed in Sui raids

Security forces backed by helicopter gunships targeted hideouts of tribal militants in Sui in Balochistan.

Twenty-five rebel tribesmen have been killed in a raid by Pakistani Security Forces in the country's troubled southwest Balochistan province.

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Security forces backed by helicopter gunships targeted hideouts of tribal militants in Sui in Balochistan on Wednesday and killed 25 suspects, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Thursday.

A cache of weapons, including rockets, landmines and other munitions were recovered during the two-day operation, Sherpao was quoted as saying by Daily Times.

"During a two-hour operation, security forces killed at least 25 militants and wounded several others," Balochistan government spokesman Raziq Bugti said adding the casualty estimate was based on information from intercepted communication between the rebels.

Bugti said the militants were using a compound as a launching pad for attacks on government installations in the area.

Meanwhile, Jamhoori Watan Party, (JWP) which was fighting for autonomy and self rule for the Baloch people has alleged that the government used jet fighters and helicopters on July 3 in a bid to kill its leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in the mountains where he was hiding since fleeing from his native Dera Bugti town to escape detention.

Bugti has survived the attack and vowed to continue his struggle to protect the land and resources of the Baloch people, JWP leaders said.

They said three planes bombarded the area where Bugti lived in the hills on July three and the air raids were followed by another attack from helicopters.