Islamabad - At least four people were killed and nine injured as a US drone attacked a house in the border area of Pakistan with Afghanistan, news reports said Wednesday.

Quoting Pakistani security officials, GEO TV television reported that a US pilotless drone fired missiles at a house near the town Mir Ali in North Waziristan.

Two other drones were shot at earlier, the report said.

North Waziristan is regarded a haven for Taleban militants and members of the al-Qaeda terrorism network.

Tension increased between the United States and Pakistan after a series of incidents in the border region, as the US stepped up strikes into Pakistani territory.

GEO TV and CNN news reported the death of Baitullah Mehsud, leader of Pakistan's Taliban. GEO TV said Meshud, who is said to be responsible for the murder of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, suffered from high blood pressure and kidney illness.

Mehsud's death was confirmed by Pakistani military officials, CNN said, while Taliban sources dispute the authenticity of the report. Mehsud, said to be in his 30s, denied his involvement in Bhutto's murder. (dpa)