At least 15 people, including 12 paramilitary troops, were killed and eight others wounded in a suicide attack on military convoy in northwest Pakistan's tribal area Wednesday, officials and witnesses said.

The bomber on foot approached the vehicle of security personnel in Khyber Agency who were on routine patrolling, witnesses said.

Locals said that the bomber was hiding in a roadside market in Jamrud area near Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, and run towards the vehicle when it was passing through the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several militant groups including the Tehrik-e-Taliban are active in Khyber Agency, the restive area near the Afghan border.

Militants regularly attack oil tankers and trucks carrying supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan in Khyber agency.

Locals said traffic on the Pak-Afghan highway was suspended after the attack. TV channels showed footage of the destroyed vehicle of the tribal security men, called "Khasadar". Another vehicle was also destroyed in the attack.

Officials said that eight security personnel were also injured in the incident. Relief activates are being carried out following the deadly attack and those injured were shifted to Peshawar hospitals.

Officials said that the officer who was killed in the attack had received threats from the militants as he had launched successful operation against the militants in recent months.