MIRAMSHAH, July 28: One soldier was wounded when a security checkpoint came under a rocket attack launched by militants in the restive North Waziristan tribal region on Friday night as security forces set up new posts around Miramshah town, officials said.

Security forces stationed at the paramilitary base in Miramshah returned fire, pounding suspected hideouts of militants with mortar shells in the Datakhel area on Saturday evening. However, there was no report of casualties till the filing of this report.

Officials said that militants fired at least 20 rockets at a security checkpoint in Ghazlamai area on Friday night in which one army soldier was injured. He was shifted to a hospital. Sources said that members of security forces retaliated, pounding suspected hideouts of militants with mortar shells.

Residents said that security forces further moved into the Miramshah town and started establishing new checkpoints on the outskirts of the city. Security forces have also banned movement of the people near all checkpoints from 5pm to 7am across the agency. The number of troops has also been increased at the checkpoints.

Locals said that security forces closed the Bannu-Miramshah Road for traffic at Eisha checkpoint on Saturday.

Shops and markets remained partially closed in Miramshah town due to growing tension in the area.

Witnesses said that militants vacated bazaars before the movement of the security forces. Troops have started digging bunkers around the town to restore government’s writ in the lawless town.