At least 8 people died and over 20 injured in the latest round of bomb attacks in northwest Pakistan, as a US drone strike killed 5 suspected militants in South Waziristan tribal region, considered a stronghold of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

As the Pakistan Army expanded their operations against terrorists in the South Waziristan, the military said on Sunday that 31 militants, including some foreign fighters, were killed in retaliatory air strikes. The bomb blast occurred in Dera Ismail Khan town's Pir Market at a time when a large number of people were present.

District Coordination Officer Mohsin Shah told reporters that eight persons were killed and over 20 injured in the blast. There were also reports of unidentified persons resorting to firing soon after the explosion. Five persons were killed in a missile strike by a US drone in South Waziristan tribal region that is considered a stronghold of Taliban commander Mehsud.

The spy plane fired a missile at several vehicles and local residents said five persons were killed in the strike, the first drone attack in Pakistan's tribal belt since mid-May. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for attacks on Pearl Continental hotel on Tuesday and the twin bombings at mosques on Friday, exacting revenge for the military offensive against them.