Security forces kill 4 militants in east Pakistan

Security forces have killed four militants and arrested another 12 in Pakistan's east Punjab province during the past 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

Colonel Amjad Iqbal, the spokesman of paramilitary troops Rangers in Punjab, said the forces launched a search operation in Dera Ghazi Khan district of the province on an intelligence tip-off.

The spokesman said a soldier also got injured during the clash of firing with the militants during the operation.

He said the operation was carried out under Radd-ul-Fasaad, the ongoing combat to eliminate terrorists and their networks from the country.

All the four militants were affiliated with banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and a huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered from their custody.

"Four suicide jackets, one rocket launcher, six rockets, six detectors, four charged boosters and 18 other weapons were recovered from the suspects' possession," he said.

The spokesman said Rangers arrested 12 suspected militants during raids in Sheikhupura, Sambrial and Kharian cities. Endit