2 Pakistani soldiers, civilian killed in blasts

KARACHI, Pakistan

At least three people, including two soldiers, were killed in two separate explosions in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday.

A man was killed when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bajaur tribal district, which sits near the Afghanistan border.

Another IED exploded near an army convoy during a security operation in the restive South Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, killing two troops, the military said in a statement.

A “sanitization” operation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists present in the area, the statement added.

Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban re-captured Kabul two years ago.

According to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the South Asian country has seen a 60% increase in terrorist attacks since the Taliban stormed back into power in neighboring Afghanistan.

Islamabad accuses “Afghanistan-based” militants loyal to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of carrying out attacks with the Taliban turning a blind eye.

Kabul, for its part, denies the charge.