Seven soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber blew up his car at a checkpost in North Waziristan on Monday, a day after militants there announced a truce, officials said. It was the second suicide blast in a month in North Waziristan.
Security officials said paramilitary troops ordered the explosives-filled Toyota Corolla station-wagon to stop as it neared a roadblock six kilometres east of Miranshah.
"As it did the car blew up, killing seven soldiers who were guarding the checkpost and injuring five other soldiers," one official told AFP. "The bomber's body was also blown to pieces." The injured soldiers had been washing outside a mosque adjoining the checkpoint where they had come to offer prayers, another official said. Military helicopters airlifted them to hospital. All roads in the area were closed off after the attack.