7 people killed in Pakistan's restive northwest

At least seven people, including a soldier and five militants, were killed in separate terrorism-related incidents in Pakistan's restive northwest, officials said today.
A soldier was killed and two more injured when their vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Frontier Region of Bannu, which borders the restive North Waziristan Agency.
The blast occurred in the Khawa Khawar area. The injured soldiers were taken to a nearby hospital.
Bannu is located near the lawless North Waziristan tribal region, often described by US officials as a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements.
In a separate incident, one person was killed and six more were injured when a van was targeted with an IED near a check point in Kurram tribal region, officials said.

Five militants were killed when gunship helicopters targeted rebel positions in Akkakhel area of Darra Adamkhel last night.
The air strike was carried out after security forces received information that some militants were trying to cross into Darra Adamkhel. The helicopters spotted a convoy of militants and attacked it, officials said.