An army major and a soldier were martyred when a military combat patrol party came under attack in Balor area of Balochistan’s Hoshab district, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, the ISPR, the patrol party was taking part in a security operation in the area which was initiated after receiving credible intelligence concerning the activities of a group of terrorists linked to previous firing incidents on security forces and civilians and the planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Hoshab District.

As the security forces were establishing checkposts to cut off escape routes, the group of terrorists tried to ambush the incoming patrol party and opened fire on the security forces personnel.

The ensuring gunbattle resulted in an intense exchange of fire between both the sides, leading to the martyrdom of Major Saqib Hussain and Naik Baqir Ali, while another was injured.

The ISPR underlined the unwavering determination of the security forces, in sync with the nation's resolve to thwart attempts aimed at sabotaging the peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

In the aftermath of the encounter, follow-up operations continued in the area, with the objective of apprehending the perpetrators of the attack.

The martyrdom of two Army officers came a day after four security officers sacrificed their lives in a shootout with terrorists in Zhob on Sunday. The attack was claimed by the Pakistan Taliban.

About a dozen gunmen had attacked policemen and paramilitary Frontier Constabulary officers at a highway checkpoint in Zhob district, prompting a two-hour gunbattle. "Four of the security officials, including three policemen and one Frontier Corps officer, were killed in the attack. One of the suspected attackers has also been killed but not yet identified," Zhob's commissioner, Saeed Umrani, told AFP.

Three others were wounded, officials said.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed the attack in a statement, identifying the attacker shot dead by police.

In another operation in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, the security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Kulachi. During the conduct of the operation, after an intense fire exchange, three terrorists were sent to hell. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, said an ISPR statement.

The slain terrorists remained actively involved in various terrorist activities against security forces, police and innocent civilians. They were also highly wanted for conducting a raid on a Police CP in Kulachi on 11 April 2022, which resulted in the Shahadat of five brave police constables.

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor