Suspected Islamic militants bomb school in Pakistani tribal region

Suspected Islamic militants exploded a bomb at an empty school in a tribal town in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, destroying several rooms but injuring no one, an intelligence official said.

Photo: Suspected Islamic militants bomb school in Pakistani tribal region

The attack occurred before dawn in Angoor Ada, near the Afghan border in South Waziristan tribal region, the official said on condition of anonymity because of the secretive nature of his job.

The government-run boys' primary school was empty and three of its rooms were completely destroyed by the explosion, he said.

No one claimed responsibility, but authorities have often blamed Islamic militants for attacks on security forces and government installations in the rugged region.

Security officials say Central Asian, Arab and Afghan militants, suspected of links with al-Qaida, are in the area.

The fighters are also accused of attacking local tribesmen suspected of helping authorities.

Masked gunmen fatally shot two brothers near Angoor Ada on Monday in an attack believed to have been carried out by militants, the official said.

The men who were killed frequently traveled to Afghanistan and were suspected of passing information to authorities on militants in South Waziristan, he said.

I.L.