A bomb blast killed three paramilitary troops and wounded three more today in Pakistan's western tribal region close to the border with Afghanistan, local officials said.
The attack took place near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, the tribal region neighbouring South Waziristan where the army is mopping up after an offensive against militants linked to al-Qaeda.
Pakistani army and paramilitary forces have killed at least 55 militants - mostly foreigners - and lost 17 men in five days of intense fighting in South Waziristan. More than 600 foreign militants are believed to be hiding in the region.