The attack took place in Morga area in the remote Tirah valley, located close to the volatile Afghan border on Sunday. "The airstrike killed at least five people from the Qambar Khel tribe, while four or five more were wounded," an official in the area told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa on condition of anonymity.
Security forces killed at least 45 militants and lost three soldiers in overnight clashes and airstrikes in the conflict-ridden north-western districts.
Up to a dozen insurgents were killed on Sunday when aircraft pounded militant hideouts in the restive Bajaur tribal district, which is located along Afghan border.
"Jets targeted the positions in Khar and Mamoond areas, killing at least 14 militants and leaving many more injured," a security official said on condition of anonymity. Successive explosions were reported from the bombed locations, suggesting ammunition caches were also hit, the official added.
The raids came a day after security forces killed 16 militants in attacks carried out by warplanes from the air force and helicopter gunships of the army. Clouds of smoke could be seen billowing from the bombed villages, a local resident told the newspaper.