Drone attack kills five in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least five suspected militants were killed Monday in a US drone attack in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Security officials confirmed the attack in which a US drone fired four missiles at a vehicle in Mir Ali area.

This was the third drone attack in Mir Ali area within a week, and in all the three strikes vehicles carrying suspected militants were targeted.

In a similar attack Sunday, nine suspected terrorists, including two foreigners, were killed, while five suspected militants died when another pilotless drone targeted a vehicle in Mir Ali Friday.

The US has stepped up drone attacks in North Waziristan in the last couple of months.

Officials said the Mir Ali area is being targeted because it is the main town in the restive tribal region and suspected militants frequently commute through this route.