At least nine terrorists have been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces when multiple militants including suicide bombers attacked Mach and Kolpur complexes in Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces in the vicinity were immediately mobilised who were carrying out the ensuing operation.

“Nine terrorists including three suicide bombers have been sent to hell till now and 3 were injured,” it said about the incident that occurred on the night of Monday.

In the exchange of fire, four members of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and two civilians were martyred.

“Effective response by the LEAs is a testament of their unrelenting resolve in the fight against terrorism, “ it said, “Pakistan’s security forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other LEAs to ensure peace & stability in the country.”

Clearance operation under way

Security forces killed at least seven terrorists in Balochistan’s Mach as they thwarted three attacks by the banned terrorist organisation Balochistan Liberation Army, the caretaker provincial information minister said on Tuesday.

“After successfully neutralizing the #RAW-operated attackers, the final clearance operation in Mach is still underway,” Jan Achakzai said in a post on X. “The situation in the area has been stabilised.”

Security forces thwarted attempts of the outlawed terrorist organisation members to conduct a “fire raid” in Balochistan’s Mach on Monday night, sources told Aaj News.

They added that security forces had prior information about the terror bid. Terrorists retreated after the effective response by the security forces.

Achakzai said accused India media of supporting the banned organisation.

“In a desperate bid to salvage their mission, the RAW handlers advised the terrorists to retreat. Yet, our forces relentlessly pursued them, resulting in their failure to escape.”

The incident occurred two days after terrorists killed at least nine Pakistani labourers in southeastern Iran near the Pakistan border. Pakistan blamed the outlawed BLA and the BLF for the attack.

Rockets fired from hilly area

Moments before, caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai said on X that the government had a report of a few rockets fired from the hilly area in Macch, Balochistan.

“No reports of any loss. LEAs are alert,” he said.

In another post, he stated that security forces have “successfully thwarted three coordinated attacks” carried out by terrorists affiliated with the Aslam Acho group in Mach.

“Fortunately, no damage was inflicted on any installations, and there were no casualties among our security forces. The terrorists have now retreated, and our security forces are currently in pursuit.”

Achakzai said that the government remained hopeful that all threats would be “eliminated before dawn.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who is on a visit to Pakistan said earlier in the day that Iran respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and no one will be allowed to threaten the common security of the two countries.

“There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries and they never favour any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations,” Abdollahian said in a press conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani after talks between the two countries’ delegations.