QUETTA: Armed militants gunned down five security personnel in Balochistan's resource-rich Dukki area during pre-dawn hours on Thursday, officials said.

A security official, who requested anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to media, said gunmen attacked with automatic weapons a check-post of the Frontier Corps paramilitary force in Dukki area of Loralai district.

He said another FC soldier deployed at the check-post sustained serious bullet wounds.

“The assailants sped away in their vehicle after the deadly assault,” he said.

The injured man was immediately hospitalised.

A large contingent of FC and local administration reached the spot as investigation into the incident went underway.

The paramilitary FC force was deployed in the Dukki, which is rich in coal and mineral resources, in the aftermath of increasing tribal disputes.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.