Islamabad: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured today in a missile strike on a home in Pakistan's restive South Waziristan tribal area where the military is battling the local Taliban.

At least seven missiles hit the residential compound at Shahnawaz Kot village, located about two kilometres from Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan.

State-run PTV said 20 people were killed in the attack. Some of the dead were believed to be foreign nationals. Reports said some bodies were still trapped within the rubble and the death toll could rise.

Local residents said the missiles might have been fired from neighbouring Afghanistan or from a pilotless drone. They also said they had heard an aircraft flying over the area when the missile strike occurred.

US-led forces in Afghanistan launched at least two missile strikes on Pakistan's northwestern tribal areas with pilotless drones last month, including an attack that killed top Al Qaida commander Abu Laith al Libi on February 4.

Pakistani troops are also engaged in operations against militants linked to Al Qaida and the Taliban in South Waziristan.

In a separate incident today at Mardan in the North West Frontier Province, eight policemen were injured when the van they were travelling in struck a landmine. Three of the injured were in a serious condition, officials said.
Source : PTI