Pakistan: At least nine including three FC men killed in Balochistan

At least nine people including three security personnel were killed in two separate incidents in Balochistan's Kalat and Dera Bugti districts on Saturday, an official said. Spokesman Frontier Corps (FC), Khan Wasey told Dawn.com that a vehicle of forces on a routine patrol was targeted through an improvised explosive device in Balochistan's Kalat district. He said six soldiers suffered serious wounds, whereas, their vehicle was destroyed in the attack. "Forces were quick enough to shift the injured to a hospital", Wasey stated. Also, he said that three soldiers inside the vehicle were killed on the spot. In another incident, the FC Spokesman said six militants were killed during an exchange of fire in Balochistan's resource-rich district Dera Bugti early on Saturday morning. He said an armed clash between forces and armed militants erupted in Darinjan and Rustam Bazar areas of Sui, a tehsil of Dera Bugti district. "Forces quickly responded and six militants were killed on the spot", Wasey told. He said that the forces also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the possession of militants. More personnel were called in the area to bring the situation under control. The incident could not be confirmed by independent sources that how exchange of fire started between the militants and security forces. Prior to this incident, the FC spokesman said that the forces also arrested five suspects involved in blowing up gas pipelines in the area. Dera Bugti, Balchistan's least developed and resource-rich district remained under the grip of violence for last more than seven years. Militants in the area have been targeting security forces and vital national installations.