A suicide bomber has killed at least eight Pakistani air force personnel in an attack in central Punjab province.
A suicide bomber has killed at least eight Pakistani air force personnel in an attack in central Punjab province.
About 40 others were wounded when the bomber rammed his motorcycle into a bus carrying air force staff near the city of Sargodha, the authorities said.
About 40 others were wounded when the bomber rammed his motorcycle into a bus carrying air force staff near the city of Sargodha, the authorities said.
Meanwhile, there are reports of heavy casualties in more fighting between pro-Taleban militants and security forces in the north-west after a lull.
Meanwhile, there are reports of heavy casualties in more fighting between pro-Taleban militants and security forces in the north-west after a lull.
Violence has escalated in Pakistan since July.
Violence has escalated since troops stormed a radical mosque in July.
It was then when troops stormed a radical Islamabad mosque, killing more than 100 people.
More than 100 people died in the operation to oust militants from Islamabad's Red Mosque.
The attack enraged Islamist militants, who have been blamed for a wave of attacks since.
The attack enraged Islamist militants, who have been blamed for a wave of attacks since.
'Act of terrorism'
'Act of terrorism'
Military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad said Thursday's blast near Sargodha, about 200km (125 miles) south of Islamabad, was an "act of terrorism".
Military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad said Thursday's blast near Sargodha, about 200km (125 miles) south of Islamabad, was an "act of terrorism".
"It was a suicide attack and the target was the bus which was carrying the air force officials," he said.
"It was a suicide attack and the target was the bus which was carrying the air force officials," he said.
Sargodha is home to Pakistan's largest air force base. Those killed were on their way to report for duty, Maj-Gen Arshad said.
Sargodha is home to Pakistan's largest air force base. Those killed were on their way to report for duty, Maj-Gen Arshad said.
July's assault on the Red Mosque was launched after its clerics and students had waged a campaign to enforce strict Sharia law in Islamabad.
July's assault on the Red Mosque was launched after its clerics and students had waged a campaign to enforce strict Sharia law in Islamabad.
Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting and attacks blamed on Islamist militants since the operation. Military personnel have been targeted with increasing frequency.
Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting and attacks blamed on Islamist militants since the operation. Military personnel have been targeted with increasing frequency.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber struck at a police checkpoint near army headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber struck at a police checkpoint near army headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi.
Some analysts say militants with links to the Taleban and al-Qaeda saw the Red Mosque raid as the beginning of a serious army clampdown against them and decided to strike back, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad reports.
Some analysts say militants with links to the Taleban and al-Qaeda saw the Red Mosque raid as the beginning of a serious army clampdown against them and decided to strike back, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad reports.
Fighting
Pro-Taleban forces are also challenging state authority in the Swat valley of north-western Pakistan, she says.
Pro-Taleban forces are also challenging state authority in the Swat valley of north-western Pakistan, she says.
Latest reports in Swat says that fighting there has resumed. Officials say that 70 militants have been killed in the latest clashes which began early on Thursday morning.
Latest reports in Swat says that fighting there has resumed. Officials say that 70 militants have been killed in the latest clashes which began early on Thursday morning.
"It is going on and helicopters are still engaged by law enforcing agencies," Maj-Gen Arshad said.
"It is going on and helicopters are still engaged by law enforcing agencies," Maj-Gen Arshad said.
Correspondents say that the casualty figures cannot be independently confirmed.
Correspondents say that the casualty figures cannot be independently confirmed.
Last week the government launched an operation in the area against a powerful local pro-Taleban cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, who uses an FM radio station to broadcast calls for jihad, or holy war.
Last week the government launched an operation in the area against a powerful local pro-Taleban cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, who uses an FM radio station to broadcast calls for jihad, or holy war.
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Are you in the Pakistani military, or do you have relatives or friends who are? How worried are you about the safety of armed forces personnel? Send us your comments using the form below:
