US drone attack kills six militants in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: At least six militants were killed today in a US drone attack in Pakistan's northwest tribal region where the military is engaged in an operation against al-Qaeda-linked fighters since June last year.

The CIA-operated pilotless aircraft targeted a compound in the Shahi Khel area of North Waziristan.

"Six people were killed and four injured," a security official said, adding "The identity of those killed is not known."

The area is controlled by al-Qaeda-linked Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of Taliban.

North Waziristan has long been used as shelter by the Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants and has frequently been targeted by US drones.

Pakistan army launched a military operation in the region on June 15 and so far have killed more than 1,600 militants.

For almost a decade, American drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal belt have been deeply unpopular with the public.

Pakistani officials have publicly condemned the drone strikes, saying they violate sovereignty.