MIRAMSHAH, April 18: Four people died when gunship helicopters pounded residential areas and suspected militant positions in Mirali sub-division of North Waziristan Agency, residents said.

Election activities in the tribal agency have come to a standstill after imposition of curfew.

According to the sources, shells hit Haiderkhel, Eidak, Hesokhel and Kheri villages near Mirali town. They said that civilian targets also came under attack.

The sources said that four people were killed in the shelling and eight others injured. Hundreds of tribal people were stranded in Bannu and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to curfew in North Waziristan. Several election candidates have also suspended their campaigns.

Stranded residents could not go to the local hospital because of prolonged curfew.

A car showroom was also targeted in Miramshah bazaar. A shell hit a gas station, sparking a huge fire.