Intel officials say suspected US missiles kill 4 people in Pakistan’s N. Waziristan area

Intel: US missiles kill 4 in NW Pakistan

KHAR, Pakistan — Intelligence officials say suspected U.S. missiles have killed four alleged militants in a Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border.

The three missiles were fired minutes apart at a moving vehicle in the Marsi Khel area in North Waziristan.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media on the record.

The U.S. has used missiles to target militant hideouts in North Waziristan dozens of times in recent months.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — An official says Pakistani army commandos backed by artillery and mortar fire killed 18 militants in a tribal region where the military has twice declared victory over Taliban insurgents.

The clash occurred Monday in Bajur, where Pakistan’s army began an offensive in 2008.

Although on two occasions the military has said the Afghan border area is cleared, sporadic violence still occurs.

Local administrator Iqbal Khattak said troops surrounded militant hide-outs in Ghundo village near Khar, Bajur’s main town. The commandoes staged the deadly raid after using mortars and heavy artillery to hit the sites.

The information could not be independently verfied because of limited access to the battle zone.