ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces gunned down three militants in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the military's media wing said on Thursday, accusing them of being involved in attacks on the army and civilians. 

Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan to the north, Iran to the west, and has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea, is Pakistan's largest province by land but smallest in terms of population.

The southwestern province has Pakistan's largest natural gas field and is believed to have many more undiscovered reserves. It is also rich in precious metals including gold, the production of which has grown over recent years. Separatists say they are fighting what they see as the unfair exploitation of the province’s gas and mineral wealth by Pakistan’s richer, more powerful provinces.

Pakistani security forces have been the main focus of separatist attacks, but in recent years they have also targeted Chinese interests, given Beijing's increasing economic footprint in the region.

The intelligence-based operation (IBO) takes place days after the Pakistan army arrested the founder of the Baloch National Army (BNA), one of the most prominent separatist militant groups in the country. 

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said an operation was launched to clear a hideout of "terrorists" from Balochistan's Gishkore area. The militants were involved in firing on security forces and civilians, the ISPR said, adding that they were also responsible for planting improvised explosive devices. 

The military said after continuous intelligence regarding the militants was received, security forces conducted surveillance and reconnaissance of the area following which the troops were dropped into the area via helicopters to conduct the operation.

“While the establishment of blocking positions to cut the escape routes was underway, terrorists opened fire on the security forces,” the statement said. “After a heavy exchange of fire, three [more] terrorists have been sent to hell, while a cache of arms/ ammunition including improvised explosive devices has been recovered.”

The military added that the security forces were determined to thwart such attempts aimed at sabotaging Balochistan's peace, stability, and progress.