ISLAMABAD, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen terrorists and three civilians were killed in two separate incidents in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Wednesday.
In the first incident, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated prematurely while being prepared by terrorists in Surab district, killing eight terrorists and injuring several others, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in a statement.
The blast and a secondary explosion involving explosives stored at the site also resulted in the deaths of three nearby civilians, the statement said.
Following the incident, security forces and Balochistan police launched a joint clearance operation in the area, in which the forces detected and engaged fleeing terrorists, killing 10 more, according to the statement.
Two soldiers were injured during an exchange of fire, it added. ■