At least 12 militants have died in missiles fired by a suspected US drone in northwest Pakistan, intelligence officials and residents said. The attack targeted a stronghold of Pakistan’s Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, near the Afghan border.
The missiles flattened a compound in the Makeen area, officials said.
There have been more than three dozen US strikes since last August, killing over 340 people, it is estimated.
Most hits have taken place in the North and South Waziristan areas.
Critical
“Our initial reports from agents in the field say at least 12 to 14 Taliban have died in today’s [Tuesday’s] American missile attack,” news agency Associated Press quoted an official as saying.
He said several militants were also wounded in the attack.
Pakistan has been publicly critical of drone attacks, arguing that they kill civilians and fuel support for the militants.
The US military does not routinely confirm drone attacks but the armed forces and the Central Intelligence Agency operating in Afghanistan are believed to be the only forces capable of deploying drones in the region.
Recently the Americans carried out their deadliest drone strike here, with Pakistani officials and local residents saying at least 50 people were killed.
The strike brought renewed public calls from the government for the US drone attacks to stop.
In March, US President Barack Obama said his government would consult Pakistan on drone attacks.