KHAR: Two bomb attacks killed at least five people in Pakistan’s tribal areas Thursday, officials said.

The first attack killed two pro-government tribal elders in Chamarkand village, 45 kilometres northwest of Khar, the main town of Bajaur district at around 8.30am (local time), local government official Tariq Khan told AFP.

The second bomb exploded 10 minutes later after security forces arrived and began a search operation to find the culprits, Khan said.

“Two paramilitary soldiers and one tribal policeman were killed in the second bomb blast,” he said.

Another government official, Adalat Khan, confirmed the bombings and casualties.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but tribal elders supporting military operations against local Taliban fighters are frequently attacked.

Bajaur saw major anti-Taliban offensives in August 2008 and February 2009, and the military has repeatedly declared the district secure.