US drone strike kills seven in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least seven alleged militants were killed Tuesday by a missile launched from a suspected unmanned US aircraft in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal area, security officials said.

The airstrike targeted a house that Islamic militants were allegedly using as a hideout in the border region of North Waziristan and South Waziristan districts, which is frequented by Taliban.

“The attack killed at least seven people and destroyed the mud compound,” said an intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We are trying to ascertain the exact location of the attack which is a remote area between the two Waziristans,” he said.

It was 15th air attack during this month, reflecting a sharp increase in the CIA-operated strikes which have killed more than 100 people.

Pakistan condemns the attacks publicly, saying they kill civilians and increase anti-US sentiments, but it is believed that government intelligence agencies help to identify the targets.

The United States also avoids discussing the drone attacks openly but officials claim to have killed several senior militants said to be responsible for attacks on NATO troops in Afghanistan.