8 militants, 2 soldiers killed in southwest Pakistan

At least eight militants of a separatist outfit and two paramilitary soldiers were killed today in a fierce gun-battle that ensued after security forces raided a home in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province.
The clash between the militants and Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers took place in a remote area in Chaman bordering Afghanistan and Iran, officials said.
The gun battle started when security forces raided a house during a search operation and the militants holed up there opened fire, FC spokesperson Khan Wasay said.
He said as a result of the gun battle two FC soldiers were also killed and others injured.

Khan said the militants belonged to a banned separatist outfit. Yesterday, three separatists were killed the Turbat district.
Meanwhile, the paramilitary Sindh Rangers today arrested five suspected members of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) from different parts of the province.
The paramilitary force conducted a series of targeted raids on the hideouts of proscribed BLA in different parts of interior Sindh and arrested the five suspects.
Arrested suspects were involved in attacks on Army and FC convoys and explosions on gas pipelines, a Rangers official said.