ISLAMABAD: At least four terrorists and one security forces' official were killed in a combing operation in the Rajanpur area of south Punjab, Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) said on Saturday.

Numerous absconders were also apprehended from district Rajanpur's Gayandari area.

Security forces also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the combing operation.

Gayandari is located on the border of Balochistan and Punjab.

"Operation against anti-state elements was in progress in the mountainous tribal area of Rajanpur while arrests were also made in this regard," a senior commander of border military police said.

Rajanpur's district police officer Irfanullah told Dawn that Punjab police was not a part of this operation and had no details regarding it.

Earlier in August, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif chaired a high-level security meeting, following the bombing at Quetta Civil Hospital, and ordered the intelligence agencies to initiate special combing operations to target those involved in terror attacks.

In April, the Pakistan Army launched an operation by deploying troops, including special forces, in the riverine area of Rajanpur to fight against criminals belonging to the Chotoo gang.

A full-fledged operation against the gang was initiated after it had killed seven police officials and taken 24 others hostage.

After the military's intervention, the leader of the gang, Ghulam Rasool, along with 13 gang members had “surrendered unconditionally to the army”.

The 24 policemen taken hostage by the Chotoo gang were also rescued during the operation.