Six Pakistani soldiers killed in Waziristan roadside bomb attack

A roadside bomb attack killed at least six Pakistani soldiers in North Waziristan tribal region on Monday, the military said.

Three other soldiers were injured in the blast triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device at Ghulam Khan area of North Waziristan, where the security forces have launched a major operation against the local Taliban and foreign militants, an army statement said.

It is the first major attack on the Pakistan military troops after the army on Sunday started its biggest operation to clear North Waziristan of armed groups.

The army spokesman said on Monday that 177 "terrorists have been killed" in the operation in North Waziristan over the past two days.

The security forces, backed by fighter jets and gunships, launched offensive on Sunday under the direction of the government, saying the militant groups had staged a war on the state of Pakistan.

Pakistan army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, emphasized that the operation is aimed to eliminate all terrorists and their sanctuaries in North Waziristan and get rid of the menace of terrorism.

Gen. Raheel offered the remarks during his visit to the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad, where he made an address on national security and war course.

His address focused on internal and external situation of the country with particular reference to the ongoing operation in Waziristan, an army statement said.