The Chinese engineers escaped unhurt in the attack in which three security personnel were among those killed, officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels.

The incident occurred in Dera Bugti district, which has sizeable gas reserves. But, there was no official word on the incident. Chinese nationals are involved in several projects in northwest and southwest Pakistan.

In the past, two Chinese engineers were kidnapped by the Taliban. They were later freed by the security forces. Today's attack came a day after 14 security personnel, including an army major, were killed in clashes between paramilitary troops and militants of the banned Baloch Liberation Army in Chamalang area of Balochistan.