MIRAMSHAH, April 28 Four foreign militants were killed and five paramilitary personnel injured in an exchange of fire at a checkpost in North Waziristan on Wednesday.

According to sources, security personnel manning the Esha checkpost signalled a vehicle carrying five people to stop for checking. But the armed men did not stop the car.

Witnesses said that security men opened fire on the speeding vehicle and a gunfight started which continued for more than one hour. Four militants were killed and one managed to flee.

There were reports that two soldiers had also been killed in the clash, but officials rejected the claim. They said the militants had initiated the encounter.

Rockets fired

Militants fired 24 rockets at the Touchi Scouts Fort and at two checkposts in Miramshah on Tuesday night. Two people were injured when a shell hit a house.

Security forces arrested seven people in connection with an attack on an army convoy at the Khajori checkpost, near Mirali, on Wednesday. Officials said the arrests were made under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.