PESHAWAR, Sept 9: Unidentified attackers have hurled two grenades at a paramilitary checkpoint amid continuing friction in the tribal belt over a hunt for suspected Al Qaeda members, officials said on Monday.

Attackers also opened fire with Kalashnikovs but no casualties or damage were reported in the Sunday night attack, said an official in the northwest tribal region.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said local tribesmen were believed to be responsible for the attack near Janikhel, 200km south of Peshawar.

Some tribesmen accused the authorities of staging the attack to justify their continued presence in the area. “We are not responsible for this attack because we do not want to fight with Pakistani troops,” Maulana Syed Akbar told AFP.