Roadside blast kills two bomb disposal officers in South Waziristan

According to a senior official, the two technicians were clearing route for troop movement when an IED device went off

PESHAWAR:

Two bomb disposal technicians died in a roadside bomb explosion on Saturday as they cleared a route for troops in Barwand area of South Waziristan, officials said.

"The two officials were clearing the route for troop movement when an improvised explosive device went off, killing both of them," a senior security official told AFP.

The semi-autonomous tribal areas on the Afghan border have for years been a hideout for militants of all stripes, including al Qaeda and Taliban as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs.

Washington has pressed Islamabad for years to wipe out the sanctuaries in the North Waziristan tribal area, which militants have used to launch attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Air strikes, artillery, mortars and ground troops have all been used to take back territory.