At least 30 separatist rebels in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan were killed by paramilitary forces as part of an operation to quell the militants

At least 30 separatist rebels in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan were killed by paramilitary forces as part of an operation to quell the militants, a Pakistani minister said Thursday.

The operation was carried out in Dera Bugti area, southeast of the capital Quetta.
  
"The forces surrounded the militants early morning on Thursday. It culminated with the killing of 30 militants and arrest of three others," Sarfraz Bugti, home minister in Baluchistan, told AFP. He added that one paramilitary was killed and five wounded during the action. "We have recovered 350 kilograms (770 pounds) of explosive material and 300 kilograms of landmines," he said.
  
Bugti said the militants were members of the Baluch Republican Army (BRA) and two main commanders were also killed in the operation.