Islamabad - A bomb disposal expert was killed on Tuesday while trying to defuse a home-made explosive device planted in a market in Pakistan's north-western town of Bannu, police said.

The blast occurred in Peepal Bazaar where shopkeepers had informed the police about the presence of a remote-controlled bomb.

"Inspector Rehmatullah Khan was handling the bomb when it detonated, killing the official," a local police officer, Mohabat Khan, said.

No one else was injured as the bomb disposal squad had cordoned off the site, Khan added.

The restive Bannu district adjoins Pakistan's lawless tribal areas, a known sanctuary of al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

Meanwhile, two people were killed separately by Islamist insurgents in the North Waziristan tribal region for allegedly spying for US forces stationed in Afghanistan, an official of the local administration said.

The bodies were found dumped on Tuesday in Miranshah, the region's main town, and a small village on its outskirts, with notes declaring them US spies.

Taliban militants have killed scores of local tribesmen and Afghan nationals over the years for purportedly identifying militant targets for the US forces and the Pakistan's military. (dpa)