“Sanitisation operation is being carried out in the area and perpetrators of this heinous act will be hunted down and brought to justice,” the military’s media wing said in a statement.

It said 14 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the “unfortunate incident”.

“The security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar condemned the terrorist attack on security forces saying that the nation is standing by its security forces to end the scourge of terrorism.

The prime minister paid homage to the 14 personnel of the security forces who lost their lives in the attack while praying for patience for the martyrs’ families, a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

PM Kakar went on to add that the evil intentions of the terrorists will never be allowed to succeed.

The Pakistani nation is proud of its martyrs, he said, adding that such attacks by terrorists will never lower the morale of the Pakistani nation and its guardians.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani condemned the attack and said that such “acts were utterly reprehensible”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with families of the martyred and injured. Pakistan stands resolute against terrorists,” he said in a post on X, erstwhile Twitter, on Friday.

Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari paid homage to the security personnel who embraced martyrdom in the terror attack.

The terrorists cowardly ambushed the security forces, he said. The PPP has fought extremism all the time, he added.

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki also condemned that “cowardly attack”. In a statement, he paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives and also offered his condolences to their families.

Domki described the terrorist incidents as a “conspiracy” aimed at sabotaging peace in the province. “The whole nation is proud of its security forces.”

Interim Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai condemned the attack and said that sacrifices rendered by army men would not go in vain.

“Balochistan government stands with the security forces,” he said in a statement.

A bomb blast earlier in the day targeting a police van in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed five civilians and wounded 21 people, officials said. The attack happened in Dera Ismail Khan.

In July, at least 12 soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan.