QUETTA, Jan 9: Two security personnel were killed in an intense exchange of fire with tribal militants in the Chakar Marri village in the Sani Shoran area, 180kms southeast of here on Tuesday. Nine militants and two security men were injured in the clash.

According to sources, the encounter occurred when a vehicle of security forces came under heavy fire as it was passing through the village in Bolan district.

The deceased were identified as Sakhi Jan and Zainullah. A senior officer, who was travelling in the vehicle, was unhurt. The two injured security men, Munir Ahmed and Abdul Jabbar, were later shifted to Quetta because of their condition was serious.

The sources said that soon after the incident, security forces launched a search operation.