Pakistani military personnel were reported killed or wounded in hours of clashes with armed fighters in the Balbal area of Zehri, in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, on Thursday, local sources said.
The clashes began after Pakistani forces advanced into the area with tanks, armoured vehicles and other military vehicles and came under attack at several locations, the sources said.
Fighting continued for several hours during the morning and resumed in the evening, with gunfire and explosions heard across the area.
The number of casualties was not immediately known.
Pakistani authorities had not released any details, and no armed group had claimed responsibility for Thursday’s clashes.
Balbal has witnessed repeated fighting this month as Pakistani forces have attempted to advance into the area.
The Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an alliance of “pro-independence” armed groups, said its fighters ambushed a military convoy there on June 2, claiming eight personnel were killed and one vehicle destroyed. It said a second attack later that day damaged an armoured vehicle and caused further casualties.
A day after the June 2 clashes, Pakistani forces reportedly raided the home of tribal chief Sardar Naseer Ahmed Musiyani. He was taken away along with his sons, Mir Zheri Khan Musiyani and Mir Khaleel Ahmed Musiyani, and several other family members.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed more than four military personnel were killed and several others wounded during another clash in Balbal on June 7.