14 soldiers killed in militants attacks in southwestern Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) — At least 14 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by militants in southwestern Balochistan province on Friday, the country's military said.

"Two vehicles of security forces moving from Pasni to Ormara in Gwadar District, were ambushed by the terrorists. 14 soldiers embraced shahadat (died) in the unfortunate incident," said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media-wing of Pakistan's army.

The ISPR added that the military had launched an operation in the area to hunt down the perpetrators of the "heinous act."

The attack came after two explosions in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that killed at least six people, including a policeman and a soldier.

Militants had targeted a police van and security forces in the district of Dera Ismail Khan, killing at least six, including a security personnel, while over 20 others were wounded.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks in Dera Ismail Khan.

But in Balochistan, an outlawed group known as the Balochistan Liberation Army has been carrying out attacks on security forces, while the military has been working for years to eliminate hideouts in the province.

Mineral-rich Balochistan is Pakistan's largest but poorest province. It is a key route for the $64 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative.