A bomb explosion on Monday killed at least six people including a pro-government tribal elder in a restive Pakistani region near the Afghan border, ABC news reported.

The attack took place in the village of Barkamar, part of the Bajaur tribal district where the military has been battling Taliban and other militants linked to Al Qaeda.

"An improvised explosive device planted along the roadside went off as the vehicle of a local pro-government tribal elder, Malik Muhammad Jan, passed by it, leaving him and five others dead," senior district official Fayyaz-ul-Haq Sherpao said.

He said Malik Muhammad Jan was a leading member of a local peace committee, which in Pakistan work to apprehend militants operating in their areas.

Another local official, Shah Nazeer, confirmed the incident and casualty toll.