MIRAMSHAH, April 22: Suspected militants on Saturday fired six rockets at the Thall check-post on the Eisha-Razmak road, 15 kilometres from the agency headquarters.

The Frontier Constabulary deployed at the check-post retaliated against the attack and fired mortars in the direction of the attackers. The exchange of fire continued for an hour, residents of the area said. However, they said, it did not cause any loss of life or damage to property.

Security forces later called in combat helicopters, which shelled the village of Spalga. The helicopters also fired mortars at the village and damaged some houses, witnesses said.

The counter-attack by the forces continued for three to four hours, they said.

Witnesses said that a car was also targeted by a Cobra helicopter.

The Miramshah fort also came under rocket attack on Friday night, officials and witnesses said.

tribesmen injured: Seven tribesmen suffered injuries when some assailants opened fire on the car of a pro-government tribal elder near Zha Ghundai, some 15 kilometres from the South Waziristan Agency headquarters on Saturday.

Witnesses said that the gunmen opened fire on the car of Sulemankhel tribe chief Syed Abbas when he was going from Wana to Zha Gundai. However, another vehicle coming from the opposite direction was hit in the crossfire. The injured tribesmen were taken to Wana hospital.