During the terrorist attack on the Ziarat checkpoint, nine members of the police force were killed.

At least nine police men were slain when terrorists attacked a police checkpost in Ziarat district of Balochistan, officials reported Tuesday.

“The attack targeted a police checkpost in the Kach Mangi Phase III area,” said Ziarat Superintendent of Police (SP). The attackers opened fire on the post and martyred nine police officials.

Among the martyred personnel are two station house officers (SHOs) — Muhammad Hussain, SHO Mangi and Sohbat Khan, SHO Kowas — and seven other police officials.

The SP stated there was an intense exchange of gunfire between the terrorists and police throughout the night before the attack in which the cops were killed.

The bodies of the fallen troops have been transported to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Ziarat for legal formalities.

Security has been beefed up all over the area after the incident and extra contingents of police and security services have been deployed to ensure law and order.

Police officials said a search and clearance operation is underway to find the attackers and secure the surrounding area adding that the sacrifices of the murdered soldiers will not go in vain.