Pakistani security forces have killed 27 militants during an intelligence-based operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to security sources.

The operation was carried out in two phases in the Karam Valley of Mastung district, with 15 militants killed in the first phase and 12 others eliminated during the second, the sources said Sunday.

A local militant commander was also among those killed, along with several of his associates.

Security forces recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the militants' hideouts during the operation.

Pakistani authorities have not yet released further details about the operation. (ILKHA)