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US Marines die in Pakistan attack US soldiers die in Pakistan blast
(10 minutes later)
Three US Marines are among at least 10 people killed in an attack on a convoy near a school in north-west Pakistan. Three US military personnel are among at least 10 people killed in an attack near a school in north-west Pakistan.
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.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 soldiers were believed to have been training Pakistan's Frontier Corps in counter-insurgency operations.
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 US embassy has declined to comment on the killings.The US embassy has declined to comment on the killings.
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 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 presenceTaliban presence
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told the BBC that the US personnel were attached to the Frontier Corps as military trainers.
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.
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 IslamabadRECENT 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.
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.
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.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 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.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.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and ordered an investigation, the AFP news agency reports.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani 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.
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