Dozens of soldiers, fighters killed in Baloch separatist attack in Pakistan

The mineral-rich province of Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a decade-old rebellion by separatist ethnic Baloch groups [File: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters]

At least 18 paramilitary soldiers and 24 armed attackers have been killed in two related incidents in southwestern Pakistan, according to officials and local media reports, as sectarian, ethnic and separatist violence escalates in the region.

Pakistan’s military on Saturday said fighters tried to set up roadblocks overnight in the restive province of Balochistan, and most of the deaths took place as security forces removed them.