Pakistani forces came under attack for a second consecutive day in the Dasht area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, with one paramilitary officer killed and six others injured, officials and local sources said on Monday.
Clashes began on Sunday when forces cordoned off parts of the Kambela area and launched an operation, local sources said. Armed men attacked troops during the advance, triggering exchanges of gunfire.
Residents reported heavy firing and explosions near a forces’ camp in nearby Kund Masuri, where the fighting continued for nearly an hour.
Later on Sunday, two military vehicles were ambushed at Daghari Cross while patrolling to provide security to a train, local sources said. One vehicle was hit, resulting in casualties.
On Monday, armed men again targeted Pakistani personnel at multiple locations in Dasht, sources added, saying two vehicles were destroyed in separate attacks. They also claimed the attackers seized weapons from personnel killed in the clashes.
Authorities confirmed that Anti-Terrorism Force official Head Constable Rehmatullah Khilji was killed and six other personnel were injured.
Local sources indicated the death toll may be higher, but authorities did not provide further details.