US drone strike kills up to 18 in Miranshah

MIRANSHAH: A salvo of missiles fired by US drones destroyed a base on Wednesday, killing up to 18 militants in Miranshah, officials said.

Up to 10 missiles slammed into the sprawling compound in the Baber Ghar area of South Waziristan, killing between 15 and 18 militants, most of whom were reported to be local Taliban fighters, the Pakistani security officials said.

Five US drones carried out the attack, one of the officials told AFP.

"The target was a base. We have reports that 16 to 18 militants were killed in the attack," the official told AFP in Peshawar.

Another official in Peshawar put the death toll at 15.

But a third official in Wana, said 16 militants were killed.