Eight militants, three civilians killed in premature IED blast in Pakistan
Pakistan’s army has reported that eight militants and three civilians were killed on the morning of Wednesday 12 August when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated as it was being prepared in the Surab district of the southwestern Balochistan provice.
Per Arab News, the military’s media wing said that the premature detonation killed eight militants who were affiliated with "Fitna Al Hindustan", a term the army uses for separatist militants in Balochistan. It said three civilians in the nearby area were also killed due to the explosion.
Security forces and Balochistan Police are reported to have subsequently arrived at the site after the blast and engaged "terrorists" who were fleeing form the area. Ten more militants are said to have been killed during an intense exchange of fire while two soldiers suffered injuries.
Arab News reports that Pakistani forces have increased their counterterrorism operations against militants in Balochistan following a spike in attacks in recent months. Last month, separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army launched coordinated attacks in Balochistan, prompting the security forces to launch a joint anti-militancy campaign involving the army, paramilitary forces and police.
"Militant groups such as the BLA accuse the federal government and the security forces of denying locals a share in the province’s mineral resources. Islamabad denies the allegations and points to several infrastructure development and livelihood projects launched for the residents of the province" reports Arab News.
