Pakistani troops killed in ambush

Suspected militants ambushed a convoy of Pakistani paramilitary troops in the Khyber region of north-west Pakistan, killing four soldiers, officials said.

The attack took place when their convoy was travelling to the base camp late at night. Three soldiers were wounded.

This is the first major attack on troops who began a drive against militants in the area 12 days ago.

They have become more active in the area in recent months, say correspondents.

"Militants ambushed two military vehicles near a graveyard in the Akakhel area killing three soldiers on the spot. Another died of his wounds later," Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed government official as saying.

Security forces launched a major operation against militants near the main north-western city of Peshawar at the end of June.

Last Monday, the house of Haji Namdar, leader of one of the three militant groups active in the area, was blown up.

The operation by paramilitary troops has also destroyed offices and houses of militant leaders in the eastern parts of Khyber district, officials say.