Bomb Blast in Pakistani Tribal Region Kills 3 Troops

Pakistani officials say militants have killed three soldiers in a roadside bombing in a western tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Officials say Sunday's attack targeted a Pakistani military convoy in the Khyber region, where Pakistani forces launched an offensive against Taliban militants earlier this month. Several troops also were wounded in the blast.

Taliban militants frequently attack convoys that travel through the Khyber Pass to deliver supplies to U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan has faced strong U.S. pressure to crack down on the militants.

In other news, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik says Pakistani forces are closing in on the commander of the Taliban in Swat, Maulana Fazlullah. Malik told reporters in Islamabad that Fazlullah will not be able to escape.

Pakistani forces have retaken control of much of the Swat Valley from the Taliban since beginning an offensive there in April.

On Friday, Pakistan's military said it captured five Taliban commanders in Swat, including Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan.


Some information for this report was provided by AP.