Bomb wounds five Pakistani militants in Waziristan

Miranshah (Pakistan), July 23: A roadside bomb wounded five paramilitary soldiers on patrol in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region today, government officials said.

Violence intensified in the region bordering Afghanistan after militants scrapped a peace deal with the government two weeks ago.

The remote control bomb struck a vehicle carrying the soldiers in the Dosali area, some 40 kms (25 miles) south of Miranshah, North Waziristan's main town.

After the blast, a local government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, that he saw several helicopter gunships circling the area.

The incident happened hours after two rocket attacks on a security post in a nearby town late last night.

Pakistan's Waziristan region has long been regarded as a safe haven for al Qaeda and Taliban militants sheltered by militant ethnic Pashtun tribesmen.

Reuters>