Air force personnel escape deadly blast

Islamabad: A bomb exploded near a military truck on a main highway in Pakistan, a day after security forces found the bodies of 13 soldiers killed in recent fighting with suspected militants in a nearby area.

No one was hurt in the remote-controlled bombing in Akora Khattak, a town about 120km northwest of the capital, Islamabad, a local police official said.

Three air force personnel in the truck escaped harm, he said. An air force official confirmed the bombing and "slight" damage to the truck. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were unauthorised to speak to the media.

Pro-Taliban militants have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, mainly in the lawless tribal regions on the border with Afghanistan where security forces using artillery and helicopter gunships have fought back.

The upsurge in violence has raised questions about whether the government of President Pervez Musharraf, a close US ally, can control the escalating extremist violence as Pakistan heads toward crucial parliamentary elections February 18.

The military said the bodies of 13 paramilitary soldiers were found on Wednesday near Darra Adam Khel, a tribal town on another strategic route in the northwest. After several days of deadly clashes there, security forces have beaten back militants and secured a key tunnel.

The fighting erupted last week after Taliban militants commandeered four trucks carrying ammunition and other military supplies. The army said the clashes left about 70 people dead, mostly militants.