Clash in Balochistan Kills 5 Soldiers, 7 Terrorists

Islamabad. Pakistani officials said on Thursday that 12 people, including five soldiers and seven terrorists, were killed in a clash in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan.

Officials said the clash occurred after terrorists detonated an explosive device near a group of soldiers. Citing a senior official, AFP reported that five soldiers were killed and another soldier was seriously injured in the clash.

It has been reported that the army attacked a group of terrorists during the operation. The army's media wing issued a statement stating that seven terrorists were killed in the gunfire.

The statement said that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the province's most active and extremist separatist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, which the United States has declared a terrorist organization, has stated that it has targeted military installations as well as police and civil administration officials in attacks and suicide bombings.

It has been reported that in recent years, the BLA has increased attacks on Pakistanis from other provinces working in the region as well as foreign energy companies. It has been reported that operations against them began last year after the group attacked a train carrying 450 passengers.