At least two civilians were killed and several injured as Pakistani helicopter gunships on Saturday pounded Taliban and Al Qaeda [Images] hideouts in the tribal region bordering Afganistan following a landmine explosion that targeted an army convoy.A soldier was injured in the landmine explosion, which destroyed one of the vehicles of an army convoy in Mir Ali town in North Waziristan.
The soldiers returned fire, killing a passerby and injuring four others, reports here quoted witnesses as saying.
The army also called in helicopter gunships and bombed the area, killing a local tribesman and injuring four others.
Local people said four houses and 12 vehicles were damaged in the firing by helicopters. The main market of Mir Ali was closed down after the incident and the people were confined to their houses.
Officials said unidentified men attacked a security check-post on Friday night near Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, injuring security personnel.
Security forces claimed to have killed the attacker but the locals said the deceased was a government employee.
Meanwhile, there is no information on the whereabouts of 16 soldiers who have been missing since the last three days from in South Waziristan area.
A jirga, or council of tribal elders, has also failed to secure the release of the soldiers.
The situation in Waziristan tribal region has been tense since the local Taliban scrapped a peace deal with the government.
The Taliban accused the government of deploying troops in North Waziristan in violation of the agreement signed in September 2006.
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