Pakistan troops killed in attack

Three Pakistani soldiers have been killed in an overnight attack by suspected pro-Taleban militants in north-west Pakistan, police say.

Several rocket-propelled grenades hit a checkpoint in Bannu town in North-West Frontier Province on the Afghan border.

An exchange of gunfire also took place between security forces and the militants, police said.

The US says the tribal areas near the Afghan border are a safe haven for the Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.

Pakistan denies the claim.

Attacks soaring

Troops battled the militants for more than an hour after the latest attack but there were no reports of any more casualties, the agency said.

A month ago, eight people were killed and 40 others were injured in Bannu after a rocket attack by suspected Islamic militants.

Bombings and attacks have soared in Pakistan since security forces ousted pro-Taleban militants from a radical mosque in Islamabad earlier in July.

About 200 people, mostly police and soldiers, have died in the attacks.