At least five militants were killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan late Friday, officials said. The attack targeted a militant compound in Muhammad Khel, a town in North Waziristan, a local government official said. "Initial reports say at least five people were killed and there are fears the toll may go up," he said.

A security official, who also confirmed the toll, said the drone fired three missiles. The compound was believed to be a centre for local Taliban and was also a base for insurgents belonging to the Haqqani network, which is active against foreign forces across the border in Afghanistan. Officials also said the site was used by foreign fighters but the identity of the insurgents killed in the attack was not immediately known.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010