QUETTA, Jan 19: Security forces and tribesmen exchanged rocket fire near Pirkoh and Loti gas fields on Thursday. Jamhoori Watan Party spokesman Agha Shahid Hasan Bugti said four women were injured when security forces attacked Toba Nohkani village near the Loti gas field.

He accused militiamen of burning houses in a village near the field.

He also alleged that security forces had fired rockets in Wagu area near the Pirkoh gas field.

Dera Bugti District Coordination Officer Abdul Samad Lasi said security forces had thwarted attacks on a water pumping station near the Pirkoh field and a Frontier Corps checkpoint near Loti.

He said armed men had looted closed shops and homes in the Dera Bugti bazaar. Security forces could not stop them because men of Nawab Akbar Bugti armed with heavy weapons had taken positions in trenches around the area.

He said security forces had defused four landmines near Pirkoh.

There were also reports of an exchange of rocket fire between security forces and tribesmen in Kohlu district.