Drone strike kills four in North Waziristan: Officials

Two missiles hit a vehicle in Datta Khel tehsil

MIRANSHAH: US drones fired two missiles at a vehicle in North Waziristan, killing four militants, security officials said.

The attack took place in Datta Khel tehsil, 35 kilometres west of Miranshah. The area is a stronghold of Taliban and al Qaeda-linked militants.

"Four drones came to the area around midnight and fired two missiles targeting a militant vehicle," a local security official said.

"At least four militants were killed, their vehicle was blown up."

Another security official in Peshawar confirmed the attack and the casualties.

The covert strikes are publicly criticised by the Pakistani government as a violation of sovereignty but American officials believe they are a vital weapon in the war against Islamist militants.

A UN envoy last week said US drone attacks violate Pakistan's sovereignty.

UN special rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights Ben Emmerson visited Islamabad as part of an investigation into civilian casualties caused by drone strikes.

According to Britain's Bureau of Investigative Journalism, CIA drone attacks in Pakistan have killed up to 3,577 people since 2004, up to 884 of them civilians.