Ten Pakistani troops slain in separatist ambush

Ten Pakistani troops were killed in a checkpoint firefight earlier this week, an army statement said Thursday, in an attack claimed by separatists in the country’s restive southern province of Balochistan.

The Pakistani army said ten soldiers were slain “during intense exchange of fire” while defending against a raid on a post in the Kech district of Balochistan overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday.

One assailant was killed and several others were injured by army troops, the statement said, adding a “clearance operation” underway to “hunt down perpetrators” had captured three gunmen.

In a statement to AFP, separatist group the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assault and said the military death toll stood at 17.

“The enemy’s weapons and other military equipment were seized and the post was set on fire,” the statement said, confirming one of their own militants was killed in the clash.

A spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he felt “deep sorrow” over the incident.

“Every drop of blood of the soldiers guarantees the security of the country,” his office said in a statement.

Source: Defense Post