Breaking News - IED kills 16 Pakistani soldiers despite Taliban directive

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By Mushtaq Yusufzai, NBC NewsPESHAWAR, Pakistan – An improvised explosive device detonated amid a Pakistani military convoy deployed to fight al-Qaida and militant groups Sunday in the volatile North Waziristan tribal region, leaving 16 army soldiers dead and 22 wounded, military officials said.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld The attack took place only a day after Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mahsud asked his fighters to refrain from attacking Pakistani security forces and government installations in North Waziristan and abide by a peace accord signed between the government and regional Taliban led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur.

No militant group claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack on Pakistani security forces, though military authorities and government officials blamed anti-Pakistan militant organizations opposed to the restoration of peace in North Waziristan.

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