At least nine Pakistani soldiers died and six others were injured in an attack in the South Asian country's restive southwestern Balochistan province, media reports said.

According to local media reports, the large-scale attack occurred in Basima area of Balochistan.

Sources told The Balochistan Post that a large number of armed men targeted the main military camp in Basima, with intense gunfire and multiple explosions during the assault.

During the attack, the Pakistan Army’s Quick Response Force from the 328 Brigade attempted to advance towards the camp but came under ambush, the newspaper reported.

According to reports, the fighters took control of the Levis station.

They reportedly seized the arms and set the station on fire along with 40 to 50 motorcycles parked inside the premises.

The attack occurred on a day when the US

The United States has designated the separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), as a foreign terrorist organisation, the US Department of State said on Monday.

The BLA, also known as the Majeed Brigade, is fighting for an independent Balochistan, which is a southwest province in Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.

In March, the BLA claimed responsibility for hijacking a Pakistani Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.

The incident saw the murder of 31 civilians and security personnel.