Pakistani officials say several American drones have fired missiles at a compound near the Afghan border, killing at least eight suspected militants. The two intelligence officials say the compound hit on Tuesday was located near the town of Mir Ali in the North Waziristan tribal area.

One of the officials says an al-Qaeda operative was believed to have been killed in the strike.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The US's covert drone program is extremely controversial in Pakistan where many in the country look at it as an infringement on their sovereignty.