16 suspects arrested in Balochistan raids

At least 16 suspects, including eight Afghan refugees, were arrested during large-scale raids in different parts of Pakistan.

The Express Tribune reported that the Frontier Corps (FC) arrested the suspects, days after a suicide bomber killed seven people near the Balochistan provincial assembly in Quetta.

"Balochistan FC conducted intelligence-based operations in Sambaza, Sibbi, Hazar Ganji areas," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

"Weapons and ammunition including grenades, IEDs (improvised explosive devices), rockets and explosives have been recovered," the ISPR added.

Around seven people, including five Balochistan Constabulary personnel, were killed after a bomber struck a security forces truck in Quetta.

The attack took place in the city's busy intersection of GPO Chowk, located in a high-security zone, not far from the provincial assembly. The suicide attack was later claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The Pakistan Army launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, a military offensive against the 'latent threat of terrorism', in February last year.