QUETTA: At least five suspected militants have been killed in a gun battle with security forces during an operation conducted by security forces in Duki district of Balochistan, officials said on Saturday.

The Counter-Terrorism Department of the provincial police launched an operation along with other security personnel on information about the presence of militants in Bhabar Pahari area of the Duki district. In the heavy gun battle that lasted for over an hour, five militants were killed.

`We have found five bodies of terrorists belonging to the banned outfit involved in attacks on security forces, coal miners, and the people,` the CTD claimed, adding that the bodies of the deceased were shifted to the Duki government hospital and after completing medicolegal formalities, they would be sent to the civil hospital in Quetta for identification.

`We have received five bodies in the civil hospital,` officials at the hospital said, adding that the bodies could not be identified so far.

According to the CTD officials, the militants were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Duki and Ziarat areas, and for this purpose, they had established their hideouts in the Bhabar Pahari mountains.

`The hideouts were destroyed and a large quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment were seized from the hideout,` the officials claimed.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the CTD and other security agencies for the successful operation in Duki.

He paid tribute to the brave personnel who killed five terrorists, calling them `valiant sons of the nation`. `We salute the courage of the young officers who carried out this mission with exceptional bravery,` said Mr Naqvi.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti also expressed satisfaction overthe success-ful counter-terrorism operation conducted by security forces in the Duki district.

Commending the bravery of the security personnel, including the CTD, Frontier Corps (FC) and other security agencies, the chief minister lauded their dedication and courage in the fight against terrorism.

He reiterated that state institutions remained fully active and committed in their mission to eliminate terrorism from the province. All conspiracies aimed at destabilising Balochistan would be foiled, said CM Bugti in a statement.

He said the provincial government was taking all possible measures to ensure the lives and property of people, vowing strict and indiscriminate action would be taken against those who supported or facilitated terrorists.

There would be zero tolerance for elements working against peace, he said, adding that the government would continue the journey of peace and development in Balochistan at all costs.