9 soldiers among 15 killed in militant attack on Pakistani garrison

KARACHI, Pakistan

The death toll from a militant attack on a garrison in southwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border rose to 15, including nine soldiers, on Wednesday, the military's media wing said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, five injured soldiers died as a result of their injuries, bringing the total number of troops killed to nine.

Five militants were also killed during the attack, which occurred after a group of heavily armed militants stormed the garrison in the southwestern Balochistan province.

Deputy Commissioner Zhob Azeem Kakar told the local Dawn News that a civilian woman was also killed when she was caught in the crossfire. Another five civilians were also injured, he added.

Five militants launched a "dastardly" attack on the garrison in the Zhob district, which borders neighboring Afghanistan, in the early hours of Wednesday, the military had said.

"Initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty," it added.

In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the militants have been contained into a small area at the boundary and at least three "heavily-armed" terrorists have been killed so far, the statement further said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

The anti-militant operation has concluded, the statement said.