Three soldiers killed in tribal violence in Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Tribal insurgents ambushed a convoy of paramilitary troops in Pakistan's restive southwest on Saturday, killing two soldiers and a civilian, officials said.
The soldiers of paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were travelling in a convoy of three vehicles in Turbat district in the southwestern province of Baluchistan when militants fired rockets from the nearby mountains.
"Two soldiers and a man who was riding on a motorbike were killed in the attack," an FC spokesman said.
Six soldiers were wounded in the attack.
In another incident, a soldier was killed in a landmine explosion and another injured in Kohlu district of the troubled region.
Baluch militants have been waging a mini-insurgency for more autonomy and control over the oil and gas resources in their province for decades but they have intensified their campaign in recent months.
Pakistan's military launched a major crackdown on militants in Baluchistan after a rocket attack on Dec. 14 during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf to Kohlu.
The crackdown coincided with the announcement of plans to privatise two gas distribution firms in the province. Baluch nationalists say hundreds of people have been killed.
Analysts say this could be an exaggeration, but the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has accused the government of gross human rights violations in the province.
The soldiers of paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were travelling in a convoy of three vehicles in Turbat district in the southwestern province of Baluchistan when militants fired rockets from the nearby mountains.
"Two soldiers and a man who was riding on a motorbike were killed in the attack," an FC spokesman said.
Six soldiers were wounded in the attack.
In another incident, a soldier was killed in a landmine explosion and another injured in Kohlu district of the troubled region.
Baluch militants have been waging a mini-insurgency for more autonomy and control over the oil and gas resources in their province for decades but they have intensified their campaign in recent months.
Pakistan's military launched a major crackdown on militants in Baluchistan after a rocket attack on Dec. 14 during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf to Kohlu.
The crackdown coincided with the announcement of plans to privatise two gas distribution firms in the province. Baluch nationalists say hundreds of people have been killed.
Analysts say this could be an exaggeration, but the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has accused the government of gross human rights violations in the province.
posted by Marko at 2/11/2006 08:21:00 AM
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