Pakistani security forces killed 10 insurgents during clashes in the southwestern province of Balochistan, authorities reported Wednesday. In a separate incident in the same province, a car bomb detonated prematurely, killing three civilians and eight militants who were rigging the explosives.
The clashes occurred as part of a government operation targeting groups authorities describe as "Fitna Al Hindustan," a term used for Baloch separatist groups that Pakistan alleges are backed by India. India denies providing support to militants operating in Pakistan.
During the security force engagements, two soldiers were wounded. The car bombing took place in the Surab district of Balochistan.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and least populous province, has been a site of a long-standing separatist insurgency, primarily led by the ethnic Baloch Liberation Army. This group has been responsible for numerous attacks in recent years, frequently targeting security personnel, Chinese interests, and infrastructure projects. The province has also experienced attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, a distinct group allied with the Afghan Taliban.