U.S. drone in northwest Pakistan kills 6 militants

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The Associated Press

Pakistani tribal families, who fled from neighboring Khyber tribal region due to fighting between security forces and militants, wait for registration at an office on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. The Pakistani army is now regularly targeting militants’ hideouts in Khyber, since fighters fled there from neighboring North Waziristan tribal region where it has been conducting a months-long operation. The offensive has also driven thousands of local tribesmen to leave their areas and head for safety in the main northwestern city of Peshawar. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) Thousands of people have fled from Pakistan’s Khyber tribal region due to fighting between security forces and militants groups. Pakistani security forces have frequently conducted major operations to try and secure the country’s western border with Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone strike on a sprawling Taliban hideout in a northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan has killed six militants.

Two intelligence officials say four missiles struck the compound in the town of Datta Khel in the North Waziristan tribal region Tuesday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

North Waziristan was considered to be a strong base for local and foreign militants until June 15 when Pakistan’s army launched a major operation there to eliminate those accused of orchestrating acts of terrorism in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan.

The Pakistani army says it has cleared the militants from more than 80 percent of the region.

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The Associated Press