Islamabad, June 26: Four persons, including three
soldiers, were killed and 18 others injured on Friday when a
military convoy was targeted with an improvised explosive
device in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region.
Three security personnel and a civilian were killed
when the IED was detonated by remote control as the convoy was
crossing a bridge on the road linking Miranshah in North
Waziristan Agency to Bannu district of the NWFP.
Three civilians and 15 security personnel were among
the injured, TV news channels reported. The military convoy
was stranded after the attack and there were reports of firing
following the explosion.
The blast also destroyed several vehicles in the
convoy. Authorities closed the road and suspended traffic soon
after the attack.
As part of its preparations for launching an offensive
against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud's
stronghold in South Waziristan, the Pakistan Army recently
bolstered its presence in the nearby North Waziristan Agency.
Fighter jets pounded Taliban hideouts at Ladha and
Makeen in South Waziristan today though there were no reports
of casualties. Reports have said dozens of militants have been
killed in shelling and air strikes in the region over the past
few days. Troops also shelled suspected militant hideouts in
the Janikhel area of Bannu today. Curfew was imposed in the
area for an indefinite period.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, June 26, 2009, 13:24