Four people killed in Pakistan militant clash
QUETTA, Pakistan, May 29 (Reuters) Four people were killed and seven wounded today in a gunfight between Pakistani security forces and militants in the southwestern gas-rich province of Baluchistan, police said.
Nationalist rebels have waged a low-key insurgency for decades for autonomy and a greater share of profits from resources in Pakistan's biggest but poorest province.
The gunfight broke out in Dera Allahyar district, about 250 km east of the provincial capital, Quetta, when security forces acting on a tip-off raided a militant hideout, said police officer Sohail Sheikh.
''They opened fire on security forces in an attempt to flee and unfortunately two civilians were killed,'' he said. Two militants were also killed.
Three militants and four passersby were wounded, Sheikh said.
Suspected separatist militants wounded six people in two grenade attacks in Quetta, and blew up the main railway line connecting the city to the rest of the country late yesterday, police said.
The rebels attack gas and transport infrastructure as well as security forces and government targets.
REUTERS
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