 Three paramilitary troops have been killed and eight injured as Pakistani security forces battle tribesmen in the south Balochistan town of Dera Bugti. Helicopter gunships and heavy weapons are reportedly in use as government forces try to rescue 40 paramilitary troops surrounded by tribesmen. The clashes began when a paramilitary convoy was ambushed by tribesmen. A spokesman for the Frontier Corps, the main paramilitary force in Balochistan, confirmed the casualties in fighting that has lasted several hours. But he had "no idea" of the number of tribesmen killed or injured, he said.
The Associated Press news agency has quoted an unnamed Pakistani official saying several tribesmen may have been killed. The chief of the Bugtis - the main tribe involved in the clashes - told the BBC that over 50 civilians had been killed in rocket and mortar attacks in the area around his house. Blaming Bugti tribesmen for the clash, an official spokesman said they have been guilty of similar attacks on security forces and government installations in the past. He said the fighting began on Thursday morning when Bugti tribesmen fired at a paramilitary convoy carrying 40 troops in the southern mountains of Sangseela near Dera Bugti. At least four troops were injured in the attack, he said. |