A likely photo of the slain BLF commander. Photo: ISPR

QUETTA: The army's media wing said on Friday that a terrorist involved in murdering 15 people in Tubat had been killed during an intelligence-based operation. 

15 bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from the Buleda area of Kech district in Turbat, Balochistan earlier this week. The victims hailed from various areas of Punjab. 

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan conducted an operation near Alandur, Abdul Rehman village, Turbat. 

"As soon the troops cordoned the area, the terrorists opened fire. During the exchange of fire, terrorist Younas Taukali was killed," the ISPR said in its statement. 

Picture of incident shared by ISPR

The army has identified Taukali as one of the top eight commanders of the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Front.

It said further that the incident occurred 20 kilometres west of Buleda and 25km north of the site of the bodies' discovery. 

Human smugglers were said to be behind the Turbat tragedy as all of those killed hailed from Punjab and were attempting to crossover into Iran and onwards to Europe illegally.

Moreover, the army said Taukali was involved in laying IEDs for ambushing FC convoys and killing many civilians including, Rehmatullah Shohaz (founding member of Balochistan National Movement who later surrendered), Ghulam Jan (Lala Nazir's cousin), Akram Hayathuk, Habibullah Taher and Saddam.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three suspected human smuggling agents from Sialkot and Gujranwala on the identification of families of people the victims. 

15 bullet-ridden bodies discovered in Balochistan's Turbat

Bodies sent to hospital for post-mortem; investigations under way

Turbat killings: Three suspected human smugglers held in Punjab

About 15 bullet-ridden bodies were recovered a day earlier from Buleda area of Kech district in Turba