Saturday, January 7 2006 16:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Atleast eight Pakistani soldiers were killed in a late night (Jan 6, 2006) rocket attack on a check-post by unidentified gunmen in the country's tribal region, the army spokesman said today (Jan 7, 2006).

"Eight members of the paramilitary force were killed in the attack by miscreants in North Waziristan tribal region," army spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told the Geo television.

The attack on the temporary paramilitary 'Tochi Scouts' post was carried out in Mir Ali, a major town in North Waziristan tribal region, close to Afghanistan border where the army is hunting al-Qaeda-linked foreign suspects and their local supporters.

Sultan said action will be taken against the attackers.

"The forces will search them out through an effective action," he said without giving any details of the expected action.

The local media reported that unidentified persons fired some 30 rockets on the check-post. Witnesses said they have seen helicopters flying over the area for a 'possible reaction.'

The assailants fled after the incident. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several soldiers have also allegedly been missing after the attack. However, the army spokesman said he had no information about the missing soldiers.

Witnesses said the local authorities laid a siege around the area and started a search operation. However, no one has been arrested so far.