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Blast Hits Pakistani Army Convoy, Killing 9 Soldiers Blast Hits Pakistani Army Convoy, Killing 9 Soldiers
(about 1 hour later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A powerful explosion hit a Pakistani Army convoy early Thursday in the North Waziristan tribal region, killing at least nine soldiers while leaving several others critically injured, according to a Pakistani security official. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A powerful explosion hit a Pakistani Army convoy early Thursday in the North Waziristan tribal region, killing at least nine soldiers while leaving several others critically injured, according to a Pakistani security official based in the area.
According to a local security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the army convoy came under attack while carrying troops to a checkpoint near the border with Afghanistan. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the army convoy came under attack while carrying troops to a checkpoint near the border with Afghanistan. The explosion also damaged several vehicles.
“The explosion also damaged several vehicles,” a Pakistani security official said. North Waziristan, one of seven tribal districts of Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal region near the Afghan border, is the base for myriad Taliban factions and has been home to Al Qaeda for many years, although as of Thursday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for the blast.
Soon after the blast, security forces cordoned off the surrounding area in a search for the attackers. Army helicopters also went after militants’ hide-outs in the area, although no causalities were reported in the aerial attack. Soon after the blast, security forces cordoned off the surrounding area in a search for the attackers. Army helicopters also went after militants’ hide-outs in the area, although no casualties were reported in the aerial attack.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, in a statement from his office, condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a statement from his office, condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.
North Waziristan, one of seven tribal districts of Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal region near the Afghan border, is the base for myriad Taliban factions and has been home to Al Qaeda for many years. The attack came as peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban insurgents have been faltering. The Taliban refused to extend a cease-fire last month, and both sides have accused the other of not taking the talks seriously. In recent days, both sides have failed to agree on a place to hold them.
The attack came peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban insurgents have been faltering. The Taliban refused to extend a cease-fire last month, and both sides have accused the other of lacking seriousness in carrying out the talks. In recent days, both sides have failed to agree on a place to hold them. The peace talks grew out of an initiative announced Jan. 29 by Mr. Sharif, who said he would pursue a dialogue with the Taliban despite their attacks and growing calls in Pakistan for military action against them.
The peace talks grew out of an initiative announced Jan. 29 by Mr. Sharif, who said he would pursue a dialogue with the Taliban despite their attacks and growing calls in Pakistan for military action against the militants.