ZARAR KHAN

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone strike on a Taliban compound in the North Waziristan tribal region has killed at least four militants.

Two intelligence officials say two missiles hit the compound of a suspected Taliban commander in the village of Mangorthi, in the Shawal area. The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

North Waziristan is home to local and al-Qaida-linked insurgents who carry out attacks on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

U.S. drone strikes are widely unpopular in Pakistan, where many consider them a violation of national sovereignty that also killed civilians. Washington has long used drone strikes to take out militants in areas where Pakistan’s army won’t deploy.

U.S. officials rarely comment on the covert drone program.

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