3 killed in US drone attack in northwest Pakistan

A US drone targeted a compound in the restive North Waziristan tribal region of northwest Pakistan today‚ killing three militants and injuring several others.

The CIA-operated spy plane fired two missiles at the compound in Mubarak Shahi village of Mir Ali sub-division early this morning, security officials were quoted as saying by the media. The compound was destroyed in the attack.

North Waziristan Agency is a stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.

The Pakistani military has refused to launch an offensive to flush out militants from the region despite pressure from the US.

The US drone strikes are unpopular in Pakistan, with the government describing them as counter-productive and a violation of the country's sovereignty.