Pakistani militants killed at least 41 people in two separate incidents, officials yesterday said, challenging assertions that military offensives have broken the back of hardline Islamist groups.

A car bomb targeting a bus carrying Shiite Muslim pilgrims killed 19 people in south-west Pakistan today.

Gunmen opened fire on minority Shiite Muslim pilgrims travelling through south-west Pakistan today, killing 26 people in an apparent sectarian attack, officials and survivors said.