PESHAWAR: At least 18 suspected militants were killed on Wednesday in a US drone attack in the North Waziristan tribal region's Dattakhel area. However, the information could not be independently verified.

Intelligence sources said the drone fired missiles on a compound in Saidgai area of Dattakhel as a result of which the compound was completely destroyed whereas 18 suspected militants were killed.

Four missiles were fired from the drone and the death toll is likely to rise.

A vehicle has also been destroyed in the strike and at least five drones were still seen to be hovering in the area.

The identities of those killed in the strike have not yet been ascertained.

Previous drone strikes

On July 10, a drone strike in North Waziristan's Dattakhel area had reportedly killed six militants.

Meanwhile, six suspected militants were killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan's Miramshah tehsil on June 18 soon after the commencement of the Zarb-i-Azb military operation against foreign and local militants in the tribal region.

US drone attack kills six suspected militants in North Waziristan

Earlier on June 12, separate US aerial drones had fired missiles at suspected militant hideouts. The two successive drone strikes had killed at least 16 in North Waziristan.