MIRANSHAH, Pakistan: A US drone strike targeting a compound in Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt on the Afghan border on Monday killed at least 10 militants, local security officials said.
The unmanned aircraft fired four missiles, hitting the compound and a vehicle parked in the Gorwaik area of Datta Khel town, 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district, a senior official based in Peshawar, the regional capital told AFP.
"Two missiles struck the compound and another two hit a vehicle," the official said. "At least 10 militants were killed in this American drone attack."
A second security official based in Miranshah confirmed the death toll.
Both officials said the number of casualties could rise as the area of the drone strike had been completely destroyed.
Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants have carved out strongholds in the northwest where they are said to have plotted attacks on Pakistani, Afghan and Western targets.
A total of 20 US drone strikes have now been reported in Pakistan's tribal belt since US commandos found and killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a unilateral airborne raid on the Pakistani garrison city of Abbottabad on May 2. AFP
