**Missiles fired by a suspected US drone have killed at least three people in north-western Pakistan, officials say.**The missiles hit a militant compound in the hills near Datta Khel village close to Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan district.
A local official told BBC Urdu that the compound was being used by militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
North and South Waziristan are known sanctuaries for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters.
The United States has recently stepped up drone attacks in the region.
More than 700 people have died in nearly 80 drone strikes since August 2008.
Pakistan has publicly criticised drone attacks, saying they fuel support for militants, but observers say the authorities privately condone the strikes.
The American military does not routinely confirm drone operations, but analysts say the US is the only force capable of deploying such aircraft in the region.