WANA, Oct 7: Tribal militants in South Waziristan attacked army pickets on Thursday evening despite their announcement of a ceasefire two days ago, sources told Dawn.

The militants fired rockets, missiles and mortar guns from Tanak and Soijawar mountains in Laddah sub-division, about 70km south of Wana, the agency headquarters, targeting military pickets in the troubled region at about 5pm, they added.

These sources said that the militants re-launched the attack despite the announcement of a ceasefire for 10 days by Abdullah Mahsud and Baitullah Mashud on Tuesday. Both the leaders had made the announcement with a condition that the Pakistan army would not move troops in the region and would also not establish new bunkers, the sources said.

Travelling from Tank district, a convoy of Pakistan army reached Wana on Thursday, which might have infuriated militants in the region, they said. However, official sources said the army did not respond to the attack. They also did not provide any details about any possible casualties.

The firing from militants was still continuing till the filing of this report. Meanwhile, the Mahsud sub-tribes inhabiting the Sarwakai area of South Waziristan Agency have vowed to join hands with security forces to cleanse the area of terrorists, said an ISPR press release faxed to Dawn bureau in Peshawar on Thursday.

The assurance was given to military officials who visited the families of the Bangashwala blast victims to offer Fateha. Elders of Sarwakai said on this occasion that being Pakistanis it was binding upon them to extend all-out cooperation to the armed forces and work hand in hand with them to flush out terrorists who had become a source of nuisance for the people living in the area, the statement added.