KHAR, Pakistan (AFP) - A roadside bomb killed one paramilitary trooper and injured four others on Sunday in Pakistan's troubled north-west near the Afghan border, security officials said.

The bomb went off in the Kitkoot area 26km north-west of Khar, which is the main town in the Bajaur tribal district.

The officials said the vehicle used by the paramilitary troops was on a routine patrol when hit by the blast.

Bajaur is one of seven semi-autonomous tribal regions plagued by insurgency.

Roadside bombs are often used by the Pakistani Taliban, which rose up against the state in 2007. More than 6,800 people have been killed in bomb and gun attacks since then, according to an AFP tally.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government began negotiations with the Taliban through intermediaries in February in hopes of ending the revolt.

But insurgent violence continued despite a self-proclaimed Taliban ceasefire.

Last month the Taliban said it was ending its ceasefire, complaining of little progress in the negotiations.