TERRORISTS struck a patrol party of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps in Balochistan province, killing five paramilitary force personnel, the country’s military media wing said on Friday (25).
Terrorists were also killed in the exchange of fire in the Sangan area of Sibi district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, without revealing how many died.
"During the exchange of fire, heavy losses were inflicted on the terrorists in men and materials," it said, adding that a search was launched to apprehend the perpetrators.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while the military blamed “hostile intelligence agencies” for the incident.
"Such cowardly acts by inimical elements, backed by hostile intelligence agencies, cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan," the ISPR said.
The terror attack comes weeks after four personnel of the paramilitary force died when an improvised explosive device exploded on the Marget-Quetta Road in the province.
Politicians in Islamabad condemned the latest attack, reiterating the resolve to fight terrorism.
"Terrorists cannot demoralise us by carrying out such cowardly attacks. The state will fight against terrorists with all its might," a Dawn report quoted interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as saying.
Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif said the rise in unrest in Balochistan was alarming and called for the government’s attention to law and order in the province.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event