Three officials gunned down in North Waziristan

Three officials, including an assistant political agent, were gunned down on Tuesday by suspected militants in the restive North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan, officials said.

Assistant Political Agent Azmat Jamal and his two associates were killed when the suspected militants ambushed their vehicle in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency, officials of the political administration told the media.

The suspected militants fired at the vehicle with automatic weapons.

Jamal's associates were killed instantly while he succumbed to his injuries as he was being taken to hospital. Security forces launched a search operation but were unable to trace the attackers.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident. United States and Afghan officials describe North Waziristan Agency as a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.