Thursday, April 20 2006 18:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: At least seven Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed and 26 injured when suspected militants attacked their convoy in the country's restive tribal region today (Apr 20, 2006).

The convoy of three vehicles of Frontier Constabulary was attacked when it was on its way from Miranshah, the headquarters of the North Waziristan region, to Razmak, a town in the tribal area, Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao told sources.

The attackers used rockets and other weapons to target the convoy when it was passing through mountainous Sarobi area, 17 kilometers from Miranshah.

"Twenty-six paramilitary personnel were injured in the attack and eighteen of them were shifted to a military hospital in Bannu, a city close to the tribal region," he said.

"Security forces, armed with gun-ship helicopters, were rushed to the area to search for the suspects and to clear the suspected militants," Sherpao said.

Meanwhile in Islamabad, Army spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan, while confirming the death of seven soldiers, said the security forces were responding to the attack and encircled the area.

Sultan did not say about the casualties on the part of the attackers but TV channels reported that six attackers were also killed when security personnel retaliated.]

Separately five soldiers were injured late yesterday when a vehicle of the local 'Tul Scouts" was blown up using a landmine in Mira Ali, a town near Miranshah.