US drone strike kills six in North Waziristan

DATTA KHEL: A US drone strike killed at least six persons in North Waziristan on Saturday, security officials said, warning that the death toll was expected to rise.

The strike occurred in North Waziristan, one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, which is seen as a hub for Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

"A US drone fired two missiles at a compound in Mada Khail neighbourhood of Datta Khail area in North Waziristan killing six persons. The death toll is expected to rise," a senior security official requesting anonymity told.

The incident was confirmed by local intelligence sources.

The army has been waging a major offensive against longstanding Taliban and other militant strongholds in the restive tribal areas on the Afghan border for the last six months.

But a series of fresh strikes after Tuesday´s Peshawar attack, which left 141 people dead -- most of them children, suggest the military is stepping up its campaign.

As the Peshawar tragedy unfolded, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said the attack had renewed the forces´ determination to push for the militants´ "final elimination".