Five Pakistani soldiers were killed when unidentified terrorists ambushed a patrolling party in Sibi district under Balochistan province, the military's media affairs wing said on Friday.

"During the exchange of fire, heavy losses were inflicted on to the terrorists in men and materials," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The five soldiers from Frontier Corps, Balochistan, were identified as Havildar Zafar Ali Khan, Lance Naik Hidayatullah, Lance Naik Nasir Abbas, Lance Naik Basheer Ahmed and Sepoy Noorullah.

"A sanitization/search operation is also in progress to block the escape routes of the terrorists and apprehend the perpetrators," the ISPR said.

"Such cowardly acts by inimical elements, backed by hostile intelligence agencies, cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan," the statement said.

"Security forces are determined to neutralize their nefarious designs even at the cost of blood and lives," it concluded.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the terrorist attack and offered prayers for the deceased soldiers. But he did not reveal the identity of the terrorists. 

"Terrorists cannot demoralize us by carrying out such cowardly attacks. The state will fight against terrorists with all its might," he said.

Earlier this month, four soldiers from FC Balochistan, including a junior commissioned officer, had died in a blast on the Marget-Quetta Road.

(SAM)