Separatist attack in Pakistan kills seven people

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) group carried out an attack in Balochistan province on Tuesday night, killing at least seven people, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

The attack took place near the city of Mach; a policeman was killed in the ensuing shootout, as well as at least six other militants. In addition, local security authorities reported on 15 injured people.

BLA had previously threatened to attack Pakistani security forces in Balochistan and other provinces after the Pakistani military said on January 18 that they carried out strikes at the organization's positions in Iran, killing nine people, the report said. Two days earlier, Iran launched strikes against radical groups in Pakistan.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Pakistan and held a meeting with his counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani. The countries agreed to work together to combat terrorism and take further measures regarding border security.