Pakistan's security forces said they killed 49 terrorists in operations across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The announcement came as a deadly Mastung blast and shootings underscored Balochistan's worsening security crisis.

Eighteen terrorists were among 21 people killed after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated prematurely while being prepared

A premature blast in Surab killed militants preparing an explosives-laden vehicle and triggered a joint security operation. The back-to-back incidents underline Pakistan's continuing counter-terror push in restive Balochistan.