Eight pro-Taliban militants were killed Wednesday in a powerful blast in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said
"The explosion hit the vehicle carrying pro-Taliban militants when they were heading from the tribal district of Bajaur Agency towards Afghanistan," a local intelligence officer said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said half a dozen insurgents were also injured in the explosion, reported dpa.
There were conflicting reports about the nature of the blast. The intelligence official said explosives that the rebels were hauling detonated accidentally, completely destroying the truck.
A local civil official claimed the vehicle was hit by planted explosives, but some media reports said the vehicle was targeted by an unmanned aircraft operated by the US military.
Taliban fighters cordoned off the area following the incident and moved the dead and wounded to their hideouts.
Pakistan's tribal militants, known as local Taliban, regularly cross the border to launch attacks on NATO-led international forces in Afghanistan. They have also carried out dozens of strikes inside Pakistan, leaving more than 4,500 people dead over the last 17 months.
Islamabad has opened peace talks with the local militants, a move which has reduced their attacks inside the country but has resulted in increased strikes inside Afghanistan, according to NATO officials. dpa ns yam tl