Militants attack Pakistan convoy, kill one trooper

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pro-Taliban militants
attacked a convoy of paramilitary troops in Pakistan’s troubled
tribal region on Thursday, killing one trooper and wounding
eight, an intelligence official said.

The convoy was attacked near Miranshah, the main town of
the North Waziristan region that borders Afghanistan.

Residents said at least seven soldiers were killed and 24
wounded but a military spokesman said he did not have any
information on casualties.

The convoy was on its way to the town of Razmak when it was
ambushed by militants hiding in nearby mountains, the official
said on condition of anonymity.

Residents said they saw helicopter gunships in the area
after the attack.

The rugged Waziristan has been the scene of fierce battles
between Islamist militants and security forces over the past
two years. More than 250 people have been killed in clashes in
recent weeks.

Many al Qaeda militants and their Taliban allies fled to
Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt after they were chased
out of Afghanistan by U.S.-backed forces in 2001.