developing : laborers were among those killed and wounded during Thursday's clash between armed men and security forces in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung district, according to local and rescue sources. None of the casualty figures could be independently verified, and accounts from different sources vary.

Rescue sources said two people were killed and 11 others were injured in the crossfire, among them civilians and laborers. The dead and injured were shifted to Shaheed Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung, where hospital sources said strict security arrangements were in place. Four of the injured were later moved to Quetta for further treatment due to their critical condition.

Separately, local sources told Balochistan Dispatch that two laborers belonging to the Bugti tribe were killed and five others seriously wounded while working in orchards near the site of the fighting. According to these sources, around 25 members of the tribe were working in the orchards when the clash broke out.

One of the deceased was identified by local sources as Hadey, son of Hairan, of the Nothani Bugti clan, a resident of Pir Koh in Dera Bugti district. The second deceased and the injured were said to belong to the Shalwani branch of the Bugti tribe. Balochistan Dispatch could not independently confirm the identities.

The differing casualty accounts from rescue and local sources could not be reconciled at the time of filing. No official statement on civilian casualties had been issued by the district administration, the provincial government or the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Meanwhile, security sources quoted by international news agencies said three security personnel were killed and 29 injured in the coordinated attack on a Frontier Corps convoy travelling from Quetta towards Kalat on the N-25 highway, with a reinforcement party also targeted by an improvised explosive device. These figures also remain unconfirmed by any official statement.

Thursday's fighting suspended traffic on the Quetta, Karachi National Highway for several hours, as reported earlier by Balochistan Dispatch.

This is a developing story and will be updated as details are confirmed.