Pakistani soldiers inspect the attack site in southwest Pakistan's Quetta on May 17, 2018. At least five militants were killed as the security forces foiled a terrorist attack at the forces' center in Pakistan's southwest provincial capital of Quetta on Thursday evening, the military said. (Xinhua/Asad)

ISLAMABAD, May 17 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants were killed as the security forces foiled a terrorist attack at the forces' center in Pakistan's southwest provincial capital of Quetta on Thursday evening, the military said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan army, said that a group of five terrorists armed with automatic guns and explosive-laden vests attacked a rescue center of the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force, located near the Chaman Housing Scheme in the outskirts of Quetta.

The terrorists tried to enter the center through a multi-sided attack, but the security personnel present at the duty foiled the attempt and did not allow any of the terrorists enter the compound, said the ISPR, adding that four security personnel were also injured in the attack.

One of the terrorists were riding on an explosive-laden vehicle, but he was failed before he could enter the compound.

Interior Minister of the southwest Balochistan province Sarfaraz Bugti said that the attackers hurled hand grenades at the main gate of the center before opening fire at the guards.

At least four blasts followed by an intense exchange of fire were heard after the attack.

Additional contingents of security forces rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. The security forces have declared the area clear after a clearance operation.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The interior minister said the attackers most probably belonged to a terrorist group who managed to slip away during a security forces operation in the outskirts of Quetta on Wednesday night. At least two security personnel, including an officer, and three terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation. Banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi's provincial chief Salman Badeni, a high-value militant involved in the killing of over 100 people, was among the killed terrorists.

Earlier in the day, at least three people were killed and eight others injured in a suicide attack at the security forces' vehicle in Nowshera city of the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.