Pakistani army says raid on militants in southwest leaves 7 soldiers, 6 militants, civilians dead – Winnipeg Free Press

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — A raid against militants in southwestern Pakistan in response to an earlier attack on soldiers left seven soldiers, six militants and one civilian dead, the army said Saturday.

The operation continued for two days after a group of militants attacked a soldiers’ camp in the Qila Saifullah district of northern Balochistan province early Friday morning. The militants also took three families, including women and children, hostage in the residential area of ​​the military camp, the army said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for that attack.

A statement from the army’s media wing said seven soldiers, six militants and one civilian were killed in the subsequent attack. A woman was also injured during the operation.

“The…operation also involved a hostage rescue operation to save three families in a residential block. The terrorists did not even forgive the children for their horrendous approach,” he said.

The army said an intelligence follow-up was underway to trace the militants’ connections and arrest their facilitators.