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Car bomb kills Pakistani soldiers Car bomb kills Pakistani soldiers
(about 3 hours later)
Eight Pakistani soldiers have been killed by a suicide bomber who drove his vehicle into a security checkpoint near the Afghan border, officials say. Eight Pakistani soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a security checkpoint near the Afghan border, officials say.
The attack happened near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan in Pakistan's restive northwest. The attack happened near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan in Pakistan's restive north-west.
Correspondents say the tribal area is considered a haven for al-Qaeda and Taleban-linked militants.Correspondents say the tribal area is considered a haven for al-Qaeda and Taleban-linked militants.
Pakistan troops have been deployed in the area to combat growing militancy, but attacks have continued.Pakistan troops have been deployed in the area to combat growing militancy, but attacks have continued.
Pakistan's chief army spokesman said the bomber drove his vehicle into a checkpoint that was protecting a deployment of Pakistan's Frontier Corps. The attack came two days after suspected US missile strikes in the region killed around 20 people. Pakistan's chief army spokesman said the bomber hit a convoy leaving the checkpoint, where troops were protecting a deployment of Pakistan's Frontier Corps.
South Waziristan, a tribal district in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), was the first significant sanctuary Islamic militants carved for themselves outside Afghanistan after the US-led invasion of that country in 2001. The attack came two days after suspected US missile strikes in the region killed around 20 people.
"I can confirm eight soldiers were killed," Maj Gen Athar Abbas told the BBC.
"The convoy was just leaving the fort when the attack happened. We believe the actual target was the fort itself."
Locals told the BBC that security forces had closed down the main road in the area following the attack, forcing traffic off the road.
Ongoing operations
South Waziristan, a tribal district in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), was the first significant sanctuary Islamist militants carved for themselves outside Afghanistan after the US-led invasion of that country in 2001.
In recent times, Azam Warsak has been the scene of many such attacks on the Pakistani soldiers, the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan reports from Islamabad.
On 22 June 2002 it was the scene of the first operation against al-Qaeda by the Pakistan army. The army lost 11 soldiers on that day, which marked the beginning of conflict between the army, al-Qaeda and the Taleban.
The area is currently controlled by Taleban commander Mullah Nazir, who is believed to be behind many cross-border attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Mullah Nazir rose to prominence in March 2007 when he chased Uzbek militants from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) out of South Waziristan, our correspondent says.
He was on good terms with the Pakistani army until the recent missile strikes began in Waziristan.
Local residents say Friday's attack has heightened tensions, and could cause major problems for the army in Waziristan.
This could complicate matters, as security forces are still caught up in a massive operation in the nearby tribal region of Bajaur.