AN EXPLOSION HIT A BUS CARRYING PARAMILITARY TROOPS IN NORTHWESTERN PAKISTAN ON MONDAY, KILLING AT LEAST FIVE SOLDIERS AND WOUNDING SIX OTHERS, POLICE SAID. THE CAUSE OF THE BLAST WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN, BUT A POLICE OFFICIAL SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A HOMEMADE BOMB. THE OFFICIAL DECLINED TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF AS HE WAS UNAUTHORIZED TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA. THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN DIR, A RUGGED DISTRICT ABOUT 130 KILOMETERS (80 MILES) NORTHEAST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PESHAWAR, POLICE OFFICIAL PERVEZ KHAN WAS QUOTED AS SAYING BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
