At least seven people were killed when multiple missile strikes targeted a hideout of Islamic militants, including some suspected al-Qaeda operatives, in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, security officials said Wednesday.
Two missiles hit a compound visited regularly by "Arab mujahidin" - a term used by the local tribesmen referring to al-Qaeda terrorists - at around 19:00 PST (12:00 GMT) in Zerilor area of Wana, the main town of tribal district South Waziristan, said a security official.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the house that was completely demolished by the attack belonged to Yaqub Mughal, who was also injured in the incident.
"The missiles were fired from Afghan province of Paktika," he claimed, adding that it was not clear how many al-Qaeda fighters were among the killed and injured, the dpa reported.
Mughal is believed to be a follower of a hardcore pro-Taliban tribal commander, Mullah Nazir, whose hideout located in Baghar village, some 30 kilometres west of Wana, was hit by missiles, possibly fired from an unmanned US aircraft, on August 13.
More than 10 people, including some suspected al-Qaeda members, died in the airstrike.
US forces in Afghanistan have launched several missile strikes this year in Pakistan's tribal area, which have been sanctuaries for Taliban and al-Qaeda militants launching cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda's chemical weapons expert Abu Khabab al-Masri, also known as Midhat Mursi, was killed in a similar strike in South Waziristan on July 28.