The onslaught that saw the paramilitaries lose their lives was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army, a group behind rising violence in Balochistan province that borders Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistani troops fought insurgents who set up roadblocks in the restive northwestern region of Balochistan, leaving 18 paramilitaries and 23 rebels dead, officials said on Saturday. Three other Pakistani soldiers were seriously wounded in some of the heaviest clashes in recent years.

Authorities in Pakistan said Saturday that at least 18 soldiers were killed in an overnight insurgent attack in southwestern Balochistan province, marking one of the deadliest days for security forces in recent months. A military statement said that the casualties occurred in the Kalat district Friday night, when “terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks” in the area, and that security forces promptly responded to what was labeled "a cowardly act of terrorism.” The military said at least 12 assailants were killed in the ensuing gun battles.

At least 18 security personnel and 12 terrorists were killed during a clash between them in Pakistan’s southwest troubled Balochistan province. The incident occurred in the Mangochar area of Kalat district of the province on the night of January 31 and February 1 when terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military. “On behest of inimical and hostile forces, this cowardly act of terrorism was aimed at disrupting the peaceful environment of Balochistan by targeting mainly...

QUETTA – Pakistani troops fought insurgents who set up roadblocks in the restive northwestern region, leaving 18 paramilitary security forces and 12 rebels dead in some of the heaviest clashes in recent years, officials said Saturday. The military said troops suffered casualties when they engaged the insurgents who erected barricades on a key highway in Kalat, a district in Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan. The security forces “successfully removed the roadblock” following the fighting overnight into Saturday morning, the military said in a statement.