MIRAMSHAH, Oct 2 US drones carried out two attacks in North Waziristan Agency on Saturday and killed 15 suspected militants, sources said.

(Reuters news agency, however, quoted intelligence agency officials as saying that a total of 18 people were killed in the air strikes.)

Eyewitnesses said a drone fired three missiles at a compound in Asara Madakhel area, some 45km west of here. They said six people were killed and two injured in the attack.

The name of the compound's owner could not be ascertained. However, the area is regarded a stronghold of militant 'commander' Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who has links with the Haqqani network.

The sources said the second attack was carried out in the same area. A pick-up and a compound were targeted. Nine people were killed and two injured.

Pakistani officials have reported that at least 21 US drone attacks killed around 120 people last month, the highest monthly tally of attacks.