Two Pakistani soldiers, one civilian killed in roadside bombing

ISLAMABAD - Two paramilitary soldiers and one civilian were killed Saturday in a roadside bombing in Pakistan’s restive tribal region along the Afghan border, a security official said.

Seven more people were injured in the explosion that damaged a military and a civilian vehicle in Orakzai, one of the tribal districts where the Taliban and al-Qaeda are known to have bases.

Major Fazalur Rehman, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps, said that the toll might rise as some of the injured are in serious condition.

Pakistani troops have been fighting Taliban militants in Orakzai district since last year.

According to officials, much of the area has been cleared of insurgents, but militants continue to target government forces from their positions in the more mountainous parts of Orakzai and adjoining districts.