Nine persons, including a commander of the government-backed Tribal Peace Force and five militants were killed in a gunbattle in the restive Dera Bugti district on Monday.
Defunct Baloch Republican Army (BRA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to reports, the incident occurred in the Doda Taba area of Dera Bugti when militants attacked bunkers of peace force with heavy weapons including rocket launchers. Four tribesmen of the peace force including a commander, Nabi Dad alias Bahi Khan, have been killed and seven other sustained serious injuries in the attack. Five militants were also killed in the cross fire.
The three deceased members of the peace force were identified as Latif Bugti, Sadiq Bugti and Wali Muhammad. Sources said the injured were shifted to the nearest hospital for medical aid. However, the incident could not be confirmed on official level.
Meanwhile, BRA spokesman Sarbaaz Baloch called newspaper offices and claimed responsibility for the attack.
