Islamabad: At least nine militants were killed today in a US drone attack in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
The pilotless CIA-operated drone targeted a rebel hideout in Shawal area near the Afghanistan border.
A security official said that two missiles were fired at a house used by the militants.
"Nine militants were killed in the attack," he said.
The exact identities were not known but initial reports suggested that all those killed were Afghan Taliban rebels.
Pakistan's army launched an operation in June last year to clear the region of Taliban militants and has since claimed significant success in the operation named Zarb-e-Azb.
North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border and is rife with Taliban militant activity.
The US has persisted with drone strikes despite protests by Pakistan, as they help in eliminating militants in areas which are inaccessible by land for the US army.
