Nine police officers killed in militant attack on checkpoint in Pakistan

At least nine police officers, including two station house officers (SHOs), were killed in a militant attack on a police post in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, local officials said.

The attack took place in the Mangi Dam area of Ziarat district, according to Ziarat Deputy Commissioner Abdul Qudoos Achakzai, who said five police officers were initially reported missing and additional security personnel had been deployed to the area, Dawn reports. 

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said those killed included the SHOs of the Mangi and Kawas police stations, as well as Anti-Terrorist Force Head Constable Saifullah.

Rind blamed the attack on militants the Pakistani government refers to as "Fitna al Khawarij," a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

He said the bodies were being transferred to the district hospital for legal formalities and that a joint security operation at the scene had been completed.

"The Balochistan government salutes the sacrifices of the martyrs. Operations against terrorists will continue until the menace is eliminated," Rind said.

The attack follows a series of assaults on police installations in Balochistan in recent months, although security data has indicated an overall decline in militant violence in the province during June.

By Sabina Mammadli