Militants kill 6 policemen, hold 15 hostage in east Pakistan

At least six policemen were killed during a clash with militants in Pakistan's east Rajanpur district on Wednesday afternoon, local Urdu media reported.

Samaa News said that following an exchange of firing between the insurgents and the cops, the militants also held hostage 15 policemen in the Kacha Jamal area of Rajanpur, a district located in the country's east Punjab province.

An estimated 1,600 personnel belonging to Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Rangers, army and Punjab Police kicked off operation against the militants of "Chotu Gang" on April 2, said Inspector General Punjab police. During the operation, the forces cleared 70 percent of the area which was earlier declared as "no go zone" due to heavy presence of the militants, and established over 50 check posts.

On the 11th day of the operation on Wednesday, the security forces raided a 10-km long riverine area, considered to be the hotbed of the Chotu Gang activity, during which the six cops were killed and several others injured.

The Punjab government also ordered villagers to leave the area for safer places and gave a final nod for the air strikes on the militants' hideouts.

Active since 1987, the gang constitutes of militants, dacoits, kidnappers and street criminals, backed by banned outfits and other anti-state elements.

Police said that it has so far arrested over 150 members and facilitators of the group since the commencement of the operation.