Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pakistani Army: Iran-based 'Terrorists' Kill 4 Pakistani Soldiers in
Cross-border Attack

by Ayaz Gul

   Islamabad --

   Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday that a militant attack from
   across the Iranian side of the border between the two countries had
   killed four soldiers.
   The attack took place in the remote Panjgur district in southwestern
   Baluchistan province, the military said in a statement.
   "Terrorists used Iranian soil to target a convoy of security forces
   patrolling along the border," the statement said. It added that the
   "Iranian side has been asked to hunt down the terrorists on their side"
   of the more than 900-kilometer border.
   No group immediately claimed responsibility. Iran has not commented on
   the allegations.
   For its part, Tehran alleges that anti-Iran Sunni militants use
   hideouts in the Pakistani province to orchestrate "terrorist" violence
   in the Iranian border region known as Sistan-Baluchistan.
   Separately, the Pakistani military Wednesday raided a suspected
   "terrorist" hideout in Baluchistan's Hoshab district. The ensuing
   "heavy exchange of fire" killed four militants, according to a military
   statement.
   Ethnic Baluch separatists routinely carry out attacks on security
   forces and say they are fighting for the independence of the province,
   which is rich in natural resources.
   Baluchistan also shares a major chunk of the country's nearly
   2,600-kilometer border with Afghanistan. The province is at the center
   of a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure development project China is
   funding in Pakistan under Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative.