Six Pakistani soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack targeting a security forces convoy in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local officials and military sources.

The attack took place on Thursday in the Hangu district when a bomb planted on the roadside exploded as a security convoy was passing through the area.

A statement from the Pakistan Army said security forces launched intelligence-based operations in the North Waziristan and Hangu districts on the same day against locations where militants were believed to be present.

The army said 10 suspected militants were killed during the operations, adding that the actions were carried out to eliminate threats against security personnel and civilians in the region.

Pakistan has faced a rise in militant attacks in recent years, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The Pakistani government refers to members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in official statements as "Kharijites" (Hawarij), a term used by authorities to describe the group as extremists who have deviated from Islamic principles.

Security forces have frequently carried out operations against armed groups in the region, while militants have continued targeting military and law enforcement personnel through bombings and armed attacks.

In June, three personnel from Pakistan's paramilitary Rangers were killed and four others were injured in a militant attack, highlighting the continuing security challenges faced by the country.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the latest bombing, including the identity of those responsible for the attack.(ILKHA)