"U.S. strike" on Pakistan militants

At least 12 militants have died in a missile strike by a suspected U.S. drone in north-west Pakistan, intelligence officials and residents say. The attack targeted a stronghold of Pakistan's top Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, near the Afghan border. "U.S. strike" on Pakistan militants The missiles flattened a compound in the Zangarha area, officials said. There have been dozens of such strikes since last August, killing hundreds of militants and civilians. Most strikes have taken place in the tribal regions of North and South Waziristan. Local officials told the BBC Urdu service's Dilawar Khan that a suspected U.S. drone had fired two missiles at a militant compound in the Zangarha area, 15km (9 miles) north-east of the town of Ladha. Witnesses told the BBC that many militants loyal to Baitullah Mehsud were present at the time of the attack. Residents said that militants were digging through the debris to recover bodies, but that they were also avoiding gathering in large numbers on the road to Zangarha for fear of another attack. "Our initial reports from agents in the field say at least 12 to 14 Taliban have died in today's American missile attack," the Associated Press news agency quoted an official as saying. The strikes come at a time when the Pakistani government is engaged in operations against the Taliban commander in South Waziristan. Last month, a suspected drone struck twice within hours killing more than 60 people - most of them militants who had gathered for the funeral of those killed in the first strike. Pakistan has been publicly critical of drone attacks, arguing that they kill civilians and fuel support for the militants. The U.S. 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. In March, US President Barack Obama said his government would consult Pakistan on drone attacks.

"U.S. strike" on Pakistan militants

The missiles flattened a compound in the Zangarha area, officials said.

There have been dozens of such strikes since last August, killing hundreds of militants and civilians.

Most strikes have taken place in the tribal regions of North and South Waziristan.

Local officials told the BBC Urdu service's Dilawar Khan that a suspected U.S. drone had fired two missiles at a militant compound in the Zangarha area, 15km (9 miles) north-east of the town of Ladha.

Witnesses told the BBC that many militants loyal to Baitullah Mehsud were present at the time of the attack.

Residents said that militants were digging through the debris to recover bodies, but that they were also avoiding gathering in large numbers on the road to Zangarha for fear of another attack.

"Our initial reports from agents in the field say at least 12 to 14 Taliban have died in today's American missile attack," the Associated Press news agency quoted an official as saying.

The strikes come at a time when the Pakistani government is engaged in operations against the Taliban commander in South Waziristan.

Last month, a suspected drone struck twice within hours killing more than 60 people - most of them militants who had gathered for the funeral of those killed in the first strike.

Pakistan has been publicly critical of drone attacks, arguing that they kill civilians and fuel support for the militants.

The U.S. 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.

In March, US President Barack Obama said his government would consult Pakistan on drone attacks.