Gunmen attack Pakistani checkpost, kill 6January 26, 2012 - 12:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Gunmen stormed a Pakistani checkpost before dawn on Thursday, Jan 26, killing six soldiers, snatching their weapons and escaping in insurgency-hit Baluchistan province, officials said. Up to a dozen Baluch rebels attacked the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) post in the district of Dera Bugti, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) southeast of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan that borders Afghanistan and Iran. "The attackers came before dawn and opened fire on the soldiers after encircling the checkpost. All six soldiers were killed on the spot," a senior security official said on condition of anonymity. Another security official confirmed the attack and said that about a dozen gunmen were involved in the attack. "They came on motorcycles and took away all the weapons after killing all the six FC men," he said. Pakistan uses paramilitary troops in an effort to help maintain law and order in the remote areas of Baluchistan, which has seen a surge in violence linked to a separatist insurgency, sectarian violence and Taliban militants. Both officials blamed Thursday's attack on Baluch rebels, who rose up in 2004 demanding political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region's natural oil, gas and mineral resources, AFP reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |