Eight Pakistani soldiers whose bodies were found in a remote northwestern tribal region with their hands tied behind their backs were slain by militants who had taken them hostage, military and government officials said today.

FIFTEEN soldiers were killed and 15 injured when a Pakistani army convoy heading toward a counter- terrorism sweep against al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border was ambushed, officials said yesterday.

Twelve soldiers were killed and 15 injured when a Pakistani army convoy heading toward a counter-terrorism sweep against al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border was ambushed, officials said today.