PESHAWAR: A US drone fired missiles at a compound in Shawal area of the troubled North Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday, killing seven suspected militants and injuring two others, sources said.

Three of the seven suspects killed in the air strike were foreign nationals, they said, adding that two missiles had hit the compound in Shawal near the border with Afghanistan. A vehicle parked in the courtyard of the compound was also targeted.

It was the fourth drone strike in North Waziristan during current month.

According to AFP, the compound targeted belonged to the Taliban.

“A US drone fired two missiles at a compound and vehicle in Shawal area of North Waziristan, killing six terrorists,” a senior security official told AFP.

The area is generally off-limits to journalists, making it difficult to independently verify the number and identity of the dead.

Pakistan Army launched Operation Zarb-i-Azb in the area in June and says it has killed more than 2,000 militants so far, while 129 soldiers have lost their lives.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2015

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