DIR: Ten people including three US soldiers and 4 female students were killed while 126 others were wounded in a bomb blast in Tehsil Balambat of lower Dir.

According to a foreign news agency, the Taliban have claimed the responsibility of the attack.

The Americans were U.S. military personnel in Pakistan to conduct training at the invitation of the Pakistan Frontier Corps, said a statement issued by US embassy spokesman.

The blast occurred at the roadside of Koto village when a security force?s convoy was passing from Taimargara to Tehsil Maidan.

The explosion also damaged a government middle school, a government girls? school and five houses.

Those killed included 3 US soldiers, 4 female students, a security man and two civilians while 2 US soldiers and over 70 girl students are among 126 injured who have been shifted to hospitals in Taimargara, Swat and Peshawar.

Funeral prayers of 3 girl students have been performed.

The US embassy condemning the ?vicious terrorist attack? in the Lower Dir District confirmed death of three US military personnel.

The US military personnel were in Lower Dir to attend the inauguration ceremony of a school for girls that had recently been renovated with U.S. humanitarian assistance.

It said the terrorist attack injured two US personnel in a bomb explosion, while a number of Pakistani citizens, including children, are believed to have been killed and injured in the blast.