3 Pak paramilitary personnel killed in Taliban suicide attack

Peshawar, July 17 (PTI): A Taliban suicide bomber today hit a vehicle carrying paramilitary force members, killing three soldiers, including a major, and injuring nine others in the restive northwest Pakistan.

The suicide attacker with explosive-laden motorcycle hit the Frontier Constabulary (FC) convoy at a traffic signal in Peshawar s Hayatabad area, police said.

Three FC men, including a major, were killed in the attack, Superintendent of Police Imran Malik said.

Nine people, including two security personnel, were injured in the blast, Malik added.

SSP (operations) Sajjad Khan said 10-12 kilograms of explosives were used by the bomber, who was riding the bike.

Two vehicles that were part of the convoy were completely damaged in the blast.

Security personnel cordoned off the area after the explosion as rescue services shifted the injured to Hayatabad Medical Complex.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khurasani in a statement mailed to media said slain Major Jamal Sheren was on their hit list.

The terror group vowed to carry out more attacks on FC troops.

The attack comes a day after the Pakistan army announced it had launched an operation in the Khyber tribal region to rout Islamic State militants.