Islamabad - At least four militants were killed Thursday in a suspected US missile strike in Pakistan's north-western tribal region near Afghanistan, an intelligence official said.

Two missiles believed to have been fired from a US pilotless aircraft hit a house in Mir Ali area of the North Waziristan tribal district, destroying the structure.

"According to our informants, four people were killed and four others were wounded," said the intelligence officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The house belonged to a pro-Taliban tribal elder identified as Malik Gulab Khan, local television channels reported. It was not immediately known whether Khan was killed in the strike.

It was the second suspected US attack in as many days. An airstrike killed at least seven al-Qaeda-linked militants in the adjoining South Waziristan on Wednesday.

Pakistan has been protesting against US drone attacks inside its territory, saying these were proving counterproductive to the fight against terrorism by giving rise to anti-American public sentiment. (dpa)