A government official says a suicide attacker has targeted a police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least seven civilians and two officers. Bakhat Pacha said 10 people were also wounded in Saturday's attack in Khar which is the main town in the Bajur tribal region. The attack came a day after officials said security forces had killed 44 militants in three days of battles on the outskirts of Khar, according to a report of The Associated Press. Pakistan's military launched a major offensive against insurgents in Bajur in 2008, clearing most of the areas of militants, but clashes have continued since then.
