PESHAWAR: Three political administration officials were killed in a blast Monday in South Waziristan's Raghzai area.

According to a source, Political Muharar Farooq Wazir and his two associates were travelling when their vehicle was hit by a remote-controlled bomb planted on the roadside. Subsequently, Wazir and his two companions were killed in the blast.

Local intelligence officials confirmed the blast and casualties.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blast. He deplored the loss of lives, and extended condolences to the bereaved families, according to an official statement.

He also expressed the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country.

South Waziristan is among Pakistan’s seven tribal districts near the Afghan border which are rife with homegrown insurgents and are alleged to be strongholds of Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives, among others.

12 terrorists killed in North Waziristan

Twelve terrorists were killed during a ground operation by security forces in North Waziristan's Dattakhel area, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces restrained the terrorists during the operation. Some terrorists escaped, leaving behind the bodies of their accomplices.

North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border and is rife with Taliban militant activity.

The Pakistan Army launched Zarb-i-Azb, a comprehensive operation in 2014, against foreign and local terrorists who were hiding in sanctuaries in the North Waziristan tribal region.