Pakistani officials say a roadside bomb has killed six militants in the country's northwest.

Officials say a militant commander named Hakim Khan was among those killed in Thursday's attack in the Kurram tribal region near the Afghan border.

It was unclear who planted the bomb, but officials say a rival militant group may be responsible.

In southern Pakistan, the port city of Karachi began to return to normal on Thursday following days of political violence that killed at least 56 people.

Schools and businesses reopened in Pakistan's commercial hub following a day of mourning.

An Afghan and coalition patrol killed eight insurgents when the insurgents attacked the patrol with small-arms fire in the Sangin District of Helmand province Thursday.

After positively identifying insurgent firing positions, the combined force returned fire. When the force continued to receive fire from the insurgent positions they requested artillery rocket support and close-air support. Two rockets were fired on insurgent positions and an International Security Assistance Force aircraft engaged an insurgent position with a precision-weapon.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Fedayi, a Taliban military senior leader who conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces as well as intimidation campaigns on Afghan civilians and government officials, was killed in a precision air strike in Baghlan province Tuesday.

Fedayi had worked with the Taliban shadow governor for Burkah district and was the Taliban leader in Baghlan-e Jadid District before being forced by coalition forces to relocate.

"It kind of felt like Chuck Norris kicked me in the side," is how Pfc. Phillip Mexcur describes what it feels like to get shot. But that is the extent of the theatrics Mexcur will offer in his narration of the day he was hit by two rounds of sniper fire; a story he tells in such a subtle tone his voice barely reaches above a whisper, as if he were telling a bedtime story rather than a near-death experience.

Video by 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Nigeria's Secret Service says five people will be charged in connection with deadly car bombings earlier this month in the capital. Those to be charged include the brother of ex-militant, Henry Okah.

Nigeria's Secret Service Spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said Tuesday Charles Okah and four other suspects are to be charged in connection with independence day bombings that killed 12 people in the capital, Abuja.

A British aid worker kidnapped by Somali gunmen last week has been released.

Local authorities say Frans Barnard, who works for the British charity Save the Children, was freed overnight Tuesday some 250 kilometers from Abado, the town where he was abducted.

Save the Children spokesperson Anna Ford confirmed the news.

"He is safe and well," Ford said. "He is in good spirits. He said it is marvelous that he has been released and we look forward to seeing him soon."

Afghan forces, with assistance from coalition forces, killed a senior Taliban leader during an engagement in Helmand province, Oct. 14.

The Afghan-led force approached a village in the Sangin district when they were engaged by insurgent small arms fire. Both forces returned fire on each other, during which time insurgents began moving through the village in an effort to maneuver around the combined force.

Assessing that there was no chance of civilian casualties or damage to buildings, coalition air support was requested to engage the insurgent force during their movement.

An Afghan and coalition security force targeting a Haqqani Network facilitator responsible for handling logistical requirements in Ziruk district of Paktika province, killed more than 10 armed insurgents during an overnight operation in the province.

Based on intelligence tips, the security force targeted a series of compounds near the village of Srah Meydan Kalay in Ziruk district to search for the targeted individual. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then the joint security force cleared and secured the compounds.