WANA, July 7: After a week of relative peace, security forces and militants exchanged fire in the South Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday, witnesses said. The firing began early in the morning and continued throughout the day. However, no casualties were reported from any side.

Unofficial reports said that three people were injured in Samtoai area near the Afghan border when they were hit by an artillery shell. Officials and witnesses said that the clashes erupted in the troubled region after militants fired three missiles on the Tirza Scouts camp from an unknown location near Shakai.

Being used by the South Waziristan Scouts, the Tirza camp is situated in an area of the Mahsud tribe, the second largest tribe in the South Waziristan. The army soldiers from the Zarai Noor military camp fired hundreds of artillery shells and heavy machine guns to dislodge the militants from their positions.

Witnesses said that security forces pounded Kramgai, Narai, Toora Ghuza, Macha and Zawar area near Shakai with artillery. The exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants created panic in the area. The area has been blocked by security forces for the last four weeks.

The forces came under attack despite the fact that six tribes in the south Waziristan region have signed an agreement with the government to provide protection to the armymen operating in the Shakai area.

According to the agreement, the tribesmen would pay a fine of Rs40 million to the government if security forces are attacked in in their area. The tribesmen have also allowed the government to set up checkpoints in the area.