Pakistani officials say Islamic militants have kidnapped an army officer and three other men in a tribal region near the Afghan border.

The men were seized in the town of Ladha, located in the troubled South Waziristan tribal region in northwestern Pakistan. They were headed to a religious school when they were abducted.

Along with the army officer, the militants kidnapped a government official and two soldiers.

Pakistani tribal people wait as authorities block the main road during an operation against militants near Miran Shah, Waziristan, 24 Aug 2007

South Waziristan is a stronghold for Taleban and al-Qaida militants, who have carried out attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent weeks. Rebels kidnapped 16 Pakistani soldiers two weeks ago, and later killed one of them.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.