The Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Quetta on Sunday announced a search operation in the Pashtunabad area on the outskirts of Quetta.

The development came days after bullet-riddled bodies of at least 15 men were found from Buleda area of Kech district near the Pakistan-Iran border of Gurok.

FC Sector Commander Tassawur Sattar and DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema told reporters that a door-to-door search operation had been launched to apprehend militants after taking local leaders into confidence.

According to them, about 277 police and 799 FC personnel, including female officials, would be taking part in the day-long hunt. The security officials had brought along gifts for children while medical camps have been installed for any unforeseen incidents, they added.

DIG Cheema stressed complete cooperation between the police and FC, adding that more information would be provided to the media in the evening after the operation ends.

The banned Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), headed by Allah Nazar Baloch, claimed responsibility for the killings of the 15 men from Punjab, supposedly aspiring to enter Europe illegally.