Suspected US missile strike kills three in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least three people were killed and four more injured Saturday in a suspected US missile strike in Pakistan’s tribal region along the Afghan border, security officials said.

An unmanned aircraft fired four missiles at a house in Datta Khel area of the North Waziristan tribal district.

“So far three people have been confirmed dead and four others injured,” said an intelligence official on condition of anonymity. “The identity of those killed is not known yet.”

The official said the house was destroyed in the attack and the death toll might rise if more people were trapped in the rubble.

It was the first drone attack of the month, after the US military increased its missile strikes against alleged rebels in tribal areas with 22 attacks last month that killed more than 124 people.

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