AT LEAST 11 workers were killed and two wounded in a suspected terror attack in Pakistan’s North Waziristan district at the weekend, police said yesterday.

A roadside bomb destroyed their vehicle as they were returning from work near the border with Afghanistan.

Police officer Ibrar Khan said that the explosion on Saturday night, had destroyed the vehicle, killing 11 of the 16 workers on the spot. Two were taken to a hospital.

No trace of the other three could be found and police believe they may have fled into the mountains for fear of a further attack.

North Waziristan served as a safe haven for Islamist militants for decades until the military carried out a massive operation there and in other tribal regions along the Afghan border in recent years.

Most militants escaped across the border, but they often strike back, targeting military convoys and civilians.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s top investigation agency has arrested opposition leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi for exposing official secrets and harming state interests, according to recently revealed case documents.

It is the latest development in a stand-off between the administration of outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his predecessor Imran Khan, who was jailed earlier this month on corruption charges.

Mr Qureshi, who was foreign minister twice under Mr Khan, was arrested on Saturday night at his Islamabad home by the Federal Investigation Agency on charges of exposing a letter last year claiming that the former PM was ousted from power by the United States.

The arrest came hours after Mr Qureshi held a press conference to demand a level playing field for Mr Khan’s party, alleging that thousands of its supporters are behind bars.

Elections are due to be held later this year.