by Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
Pakistani security forces killed 20 suspected Baloch separatists in the southwestern province of Baluchistan Saturday, Pakistani military officials said.
The incident took place during an operation in the mountainous region of Qallat district, located some 155.6 miles (250 kilometers) off Quetta city, the provincial capital of Baluchistan, the official said, adding that a large quantity of arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Baloch separatists have for decades been fighting for the resource-rich Baluchistan province's secession from Pakistan.
Separately, at least five suspected militants were killed in a U.S. drone strike at a house in North Waziristan Agency on Saturday evening.
According to the local daily Dawn, which quoted military sources, the drone strike killed Uzbek militants.
The claims of the Pakistani army could not be independently verified because of the fact that journalists are not allowed to operate freely in the remote northern areas and the restive Balochistan province.
