A bomb has killed at least five anti-Taliban militiamen in Pakistan's northwest, along the Afghan border.

Pakistani authorities say the remote control bomb exploded Wednesday as members of a pro-government militia met in the Bajaur tribal region. At least two people were wounded in the blast.

While the Pakistani military continues to battle militants throughout the northwest, Islamabad has long encouraged the formation of local militias, known as lashkars, to help in the fight against the Taliban, especially in remote areas near the Afghan border.

Members of the lashkars are often the targets of militant violence.