A bombing outside a school in Pakistan has caused a bloodbath. Three US soldiers, three children and a Pakistani soldier have died. At least 45 people are injured including 40 schoolgirls. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The soldiers were on their way to attend the inauguration of another girls' school which they had helped rebuild after it was blown up a year ago.

The explosion took place near Swat Valley, an area the military had largely cleared of militants in an offensive nearly a year ago.

Pakistan's Taliban militants have bombed markets, schools, as well as military and police facilities despite major government crackdowns that have destroyed some of the bases and US drone aircraft attacks that have killed some of their leaders. The death toll from a drone attack on Tuesday night has risen to 31.

Photo: Pakistani schoolgirls - Flickr/Kash if