This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8494890.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
US Marines die in Pakistan attack US Marines die in Pakistan attack
(40 minutes later)
Three US Marines are among at least 10 people killed in an attack on a convoy heading to a girls' school in north-west Pakistan, police have said. Three US Marines are among at least 10 people killed in an attack on a convoy near a school in north-west Pakistan.
At least 70 people, including 63 school girls, were injured as the convoy was hit as it passed another girls' school in Lower Dir, near the Afghan border. Police said around 70 people, including 63 school girls and another US soldier, were injured in the roadside bombing in Lower Dir, near the Afghan border.
The soldiers were believed to have been training Pakistan's Frontier Corps in counter-insurgency against the Taliban.
The attack comes amid a major government offensive against Taliban militants in the area.The attack comes amid a major government offensive against Taliban militants in the area.
The Taliban has frequently targeted markets, schools and security agencies. The US embassy has declined to comment on the killings.
Pakistan military sources told the BBC that three US Marines were killed and one other injured. The US embassy has declined to comment. Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told the BBC that the US soldiers were attached to the Frontier Corps as military trainers.
They were thought to be travelling with a convoy that was heading to the inauguration ceremony of a newly-built girls' school. They were thought to be travelling in a convoy that was heading to the inauguration ceremony of a newly-built girls' school in Maidan, an area of Lower Dir district in the North West Frontier Province, which is a stronghold of Taliban militants.
Taliban presence
RECENT ATTACKS ON FOREIGNERS October 2009: Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad, killing five people including a foreignerJune 2009: Foreigners among at least 18 people killed in suicide attack blamed on the Taliban on Pearl Continental hotelMarch 2009: Bus carrying Sri Lankan cricket team is attacked in Lahore, injuring seven players and killing five Pakistani policemenSeptember 2008: Truck bomber kills at least 54 people including foreigners at the Marriott Hotel in IslamabadMarch 2008: A Turkish woman is killed and several foreigners are injured in a bomb attack on an Italian restaurant in Islamabad
The blast occurred near a different school in Koto, a heavily populated village along the route, the BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says.The blast occurred near a different school in Koto, a heavily populated village along the route, the BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says.
At least three of the dead were school girls, police said, adding that security guards and three local journalists were also among the wounded.At least three of the dead were school girls, police said, adding that security guards and three local journalists were also among the wounded.
School targets Last year, the Pakistani army carried out a major offensive to drive Taliban insurgents out of Lower Dir and the neighbouring districts of Swat and Buner.
RECENT ATTACKS ON FOREIGNERS October 2009: Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad, killing five people including a foreignerSeptember 2009: Truck bomber kills at least 54 people including foreigners at the Marriott Hotel in IslamabadJune 2009: Foreigners among at least 18 people killed in suicide attack blamed on the Taliban on Pearl Continental hotelMarch 2009: Bus carrying Sri Lankan cricket team is attacked in Lahore, injuring seven players and killing five Pakistani policemenMarch 2008: A Turkish woman is killed and several foreigners are injured in a bomb attack on an Italian restaurant in Islamabad But the Taliban are still present in remote areas and the latest attack shows that the militants remain a powerful force in the region, our correspondent says.
The convoy was on its way to Maidan, an area of Lower Dir district in North-West Frontier Province, which is the base of a pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Sufi Mohammad, and a stronghold of Taliban militants. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and ordered an investigation, the AFP news agency reports.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has condemned the attack and ordered an investigation, the AFP news agency reports.
The Taliban has frequently targeted girls' schools in recent years, burning several to the ground.The Taliban has frequently targeted girls' schools in recent years, burning several to the ground.
The school that was due to re-open had only recently been re-built with foreign aid after being blown up by militants in January 2009, AFP said citing a local police official.
Last year, the Pakistani army carried out a major offensive to drive Taliban insurgents out of Lower Dir and the neighbouring districts of Swat and Buner, but they are still present in remote areas, our correspondent says.
The latest attack shows that the Taliban remains a powerful force in the region, despite the government's efforts to push them back, he adds.
Hundreds of people have died and several thousand displaced by the fighting.
Many of the girls' school in the region that were destroyed by militants are now being rebuilt.Many of the girls' school in the region that were destroyed by militants are now being rebuilt.
Are you in the Lower Dir district? Did you witness the attack? Send us your commentsAre you in the Lower Dir district? Did you witness the attack? Send us your comments
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions