LANDI KOTAL, Feb 29: The political authorities have arrested 18 people, including Afghans, on charges of firing on the army camp here, sources said on Sunday.

A checkpoint of Khyber Rifles militia near the army camp was reportedly hit by a stray bullet on Thursday night. The bullet had smashed a windowpane. Later, the army officials brought the matter to the notice of the political administration.

In the ensuing operation, the administration rounded up 18 people in the locality and sent them to jail. The detained people also included some Afghans, the sources added.

The local residents insisted that the checkpoint was hit by a stray bullet which they believed was fired on the return of a tribesman from pilgrimage in Makkah.

Army officials stationed at the camp, when approached, refused to comment on the incident. The assistant political agent and political tehsildar of Landi Kotal were also not available to clarify the situation.