QUETTA: At least nine suspected militants were killed during an exchange of fire with Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in the Mastung area of Balochistan.

The CTD personnel conducted an operation in the mountainous region Splanji area of Mantung based on an intelligence report about the presence of suspected militants of banned outfits, a spokesperson for the department confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

The slain militants belonged to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). They were wanted in terror-related activities, the spokesperson added.

The CTD team also recovered arms and ammunition, including nine Kalashnikovs, 20-kg explosives, prima card, detonator and RPG rocket with two shells from their possession, said the spokesperson.