QUETTA: At least six persons, including five militants and a paramilitary man, were killed in an exchange of gunfire in Balochistan's volatile Turbat area on Tuesday, an official said.

Spokesman for the Frontier Corps (a paramilitary force), Khan Wasey, told Dawn.com that labourers were engaged in construction work in Turbat's Buleda area when militants attacked their machinery late on Monday, adding that FC personnel deployed in the area quickly retaliated and killed five militants.

"FC quickly hit back and ensured security of the construction company's labourers," he further said.

He, however, said one FC man was seriously injured during the clash and succumbed to his wounds on his way to the hospital.

The bodies of the militants are yet to be identified.

Additional personnel of the FC and Levies rushed to the area and launched a search operation against the militants.

Khan Wasey said the forces also seized weapons from the possession of militants.

Turbat is considered to be one of the most sensitive areas of Balochistan. Militants in the area have been targeting security forces and pro-government figures for over past six years.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack targeting the company.