The Pakistani government sent paramilitary troops to the north-western district of Buner that was recently infiltrated by Taliban militants on Thursday. The move came amid reports that the Taliban had been patrolling the streets and had installed checkpoints in the district. The capital Islamabad is just 100 kilometres away. Soon after the troops arrived, one of their convoys was attacked by suspected militants. One policemen who was escorting them was killed. The Taliban's recent advance has raised alarm in the international community. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even said it posed an "existential threat" to the survival of Pakistan.