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DERA ISLAMIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — Two missiles fired from a U.S. drone hit a compound in a Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, killing three militants, Pakistani intelligence officials said Tuesday.
The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, said the strike took place Monday night in Shawal village, in the North Waziristan region.
They said the identity of those killed was not yet known.
Pakistan has been waging a large military operation in North Waziristan against local and foreign militants since June. The military says it has killed more than 1,200 militants and cleared most of the region.
The U.S. drone strikes have killed several top Taliban and al-Qaida militants over the years, but are deeply unpopular in Pakistan because they have also killed civilians.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry condemned Monday's strike, saying it violated the country's territorial sovereignty and international law. "These events also generate distrust among the local populace. We reiterate our call for cessation of such strikes," it said.
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