November 03, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 4, 1429

WANA, Nov 2: Eight soldiers were killed in a suicide attack at a checkpoint in Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan on Sunday, military officials said.

Two soldiers were injured.

The officials said the suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden van into the checkpoint in front of the paramilitary fort in Zalai, some 15 kilometres west of Wana. The army’s three vehicles were destroyed in the attack.

An official told Dawn that eight soldiers died on the spot and two suffered injuries. According to local people, security forces blocked the road after the explosion.

The area is controlled by pro-government Taliban commander Maulvi Nazir who had escaped a US drone attack on Friday night.

Sources said the escalation in the drone attacks in the area dominated by Ahmadzai Wazir tribe had annoyed Maulvi Nazir. Nazir’s group has accused the government of being involved in the attacks.

AFP adds: Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said the checkpoint was near the area headquarters of the Frontier Corps.

“The bomber in a truck hit his vehicle into the checkpost. Eight security officials were killed and two wounded,” General Abbas told AFP.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani strongly condemned the attack.

The president reiterated his resolve to continue the fight against extremists and terrorists and to make Pakistan a safe place.