QUETTA: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan police has killed three alleged militants during an operation in Barkhan on Monday.

A CTD spokesman said the intelligence-based operation was conducted in Tang Krier area in coordination with other security agencies.

The operation was planned after intelligence reports about the movement of alleged militants in the area, the spokesperson said.

As security forces cordoned off the area, the armed men opened fire.

The security personnel returned fire, resulting in a gun battle that continuedforoveranhour.

The three militants killed in the operation allegedly belonged to the banned Baloch Liberation Army.

A number of alleged militants managed to escape into the mountains under the cover of darkness, CTD claimed, adding an operation is underway in the area to trace them.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including submachine guns, pistols and IEDs was recovered.