MIRAMSHAH, May 20: Two paramilitary soldiers were killed and another was wounded in a grenade attack whereas an attacker and a civilian were shot dead in subsequent action in Mirali bazaar in the North Waziristan Agency on Saturday, sources said.

An official said that the incident took place at a check-post where the occupant of a car refused to offer himself for body search and lobbed a grenade in the direction of the soldiers.

He said that two soldiers, Liaq Khan and Waheed, were killed and another, Ghazi Khan, was seriously wounded.

Security forces retaliated and gunned down the attacker, Kalimullah, belonging to Toriklhel branch of Wazir tribe.

Sources said that two accomplices of the attacker opened fire on the troops and drove away the car. Soldiers intercepted the car and a heavy exchange of fire ensued, lasting over two hours.

A bakery shop owner, Mohammad Irshad, was caught in the crossfire and injured. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.

Suspected militants have intensified attacks against security forces in the restive North Waziristan during last week.