Islamabad  - A suspected US missile strike on a militant hideout in Pakistan's troubled north-western tribal region near Afghanistan killed at least six people Wednesday, a security official said.

The attack took place in the Makeen area in the South Waziristan tribal district, a known hotbed of al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

"According to the information we are receiving from the locals, the missile strike destroyed a vehicle carrying some militants," said a local intelligence official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Some local media reports said the missiles targeted a house and two vehicles parked inside it.

"Six people are said to be killed, and some more are injured," the intelligence official added.

According to the official, the identity of those killed or injured was not yet known.

"US drones were seen flying in the area during the attack," he said.

The Makeen sub-district is the stronghold of Pakistan Taliban's leader Baitullah Mehsud.

Running out of patience over Pakistan's inability to stop militants from launching cross-border attacks on international troops in Afghanistan, US forces have conducted about 36 air raids in the past four months, killing dozens of suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

Pakistan, a key US ally in the international fight against terrorism, has repeatedly protested the strikes, saying they violate the country's sovereignty and fuel public anger.

But it has not taken any military action to stop the air attacks, avoiding a direct conflict with US forces. (dpa)