KOHAT: At least 14 people, including 12 militants were killed and 13 injured in drone strikes at one of the headquarters of the local Taliban chief in Khadezai area of Orakzai tribal region on Wednesday.

According to eye-witnesses, a drone fired two missiles at a double-story building owned by Gul Mullah and turned the compound into rubble. There was no confirmation of the death of any key Taliban leader in the drone strike.

This was first drone attack in the Orakzai region. Earlier pilot-less planes have been targeting positions in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kurram and Bannu districts.

Locals said that drones had been flying frequently over the tribal region.   

Reports reaching here said that two women and several children were also among the victims of the strikes. Dead bodies were still lying under the debris of the building. A rescue operation had been launched by the local Taliban, who were continuing to pull bodies out of the rubble.

Officials confirmed that besides local Taliban some guests from Waziristan were staying in that building situated close to an old seminary, which was targeted. The foreigners holding fort in the same area remained unscathed in the attack.

Drones had been seen in the area for the first time three months earlier, after which, they appeared regularly following information that Tahrik Taliban Pakistan trained militants and planned terrorist attacks there.

Last year, militants targeted a grand jirga which was about to demolish the headquarters of the TTP in Khadezai area which claimed more than 130 lives.

The Taliban conveyed a clear message through the deadly that if the tribal elders acted against Taliban on the instructions of the government they would meet the same fate.

Later, tribal elders assured them complete protection and made it clear to the government that they would deal with militants under their own traditional customs and laws. They said that unless militants harmed the tribesmen, no action would be taken against them, who could remain in the area as their guests as long as long wanted.

Officials and eye witnesses said that the dead bodies were being shifted to the Ghiljo hospital in the headquarters of the Upper Orakzai region.