At least eight Pakistani security personnel were killed and several others critically injured today in a roadside blast targeting them in the restive North Waziristan Agency, bordering Afghanistan.

"The IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast took place on Miranshah-Ghulamkhan road this morning," the Pakistani military's media wing, ISPR, said.

It said eight personnel have been killed in the blast.

North Waziristan is a safe haven for the Pakistani Taliban militants and other terror groups including the al-Qaeda.

The attack comes amidst efforts by the government to find a solution to the indiscriminate violence through talks with the Taliban.

This is the first major attack on Pakistani military in the recent past.