UPDATE - 4 soldiers, as many terrorists killed in southwestern Pakistan

UPDATED, CHANGED HEADLINE, DECK, MORE INFORMATION, EDIT THROUGHOUT

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Four Pakistani soldiers and as many terrorists were killed in two different incidents in the southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistan army said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said that terrorists attacked security personnel from across the Pakistan-Iran border in the Panjgur district of Balochistan.

“The terrorists used Iranian soil to target a convoy of security forces patrolling along the border (and) the Iranian side has been asked to hunt down the terrorists on their side," said the ISPR.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack came just a day after Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir visited the Khuzdar and Basima areas of Balochistan.

During his interaction with troops, the army chief emphasized maintaining optimum operational readiness to thwart any attempts by foreign-sponsored and supported hostile elements to destabilize Balochistan.

“We are aware of the nefarious designs of external enemies of Pakistan to disturb the hard-earned peaceful environment in Balochistan,” Munir remarked.

Earlier, the Pakistani military said that at least four terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the southwestern Balochistan province.

According to the ISPR, the operation was initiated in Balochistan’s Hoshab town to clear a hideout of terrorists, linked with firing incidents on security forces and civilians besides planting improvised explosive devices.

Following an intelligence tip, the security forces raided a location of the terrorists, the ISPR said, adding that four terrorists were killed in the ensuing gunfight.

The military also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including improvised explosive devices, from the terrorists.

The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army has been carrying out attacks on security forces in the province and the military has been active for a long time to eliminate terrorists’ hideouts from the province.

Mineral-rich Balochistan is Pakistan's largest and poorest province. It is a key route for the $64 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative.

China is also developing the Gwadar port and is involved in other projects in the restive province.