Islamabad  - An airstrike by a US drone killed at least 10 people Friday in Pakistan's Waziristan tribal region, a known hub of al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, Pakistani officials said.

The pre-dawn attack in north-western Pakistan targeted a militant hideout in the remote Shabikhel area, 75 kilometres west of Miranshah, North Waziristan's main town, they said.

"Initial reports reaching us say at least 10 people have been killed and several others wounded," a security official said on the condition of anonymity.

At least two missiles struck the house near the border between the North and South Waziristan districts, from which militants carry out cross-border attacks on international forces in Afghanistan.

Another official said some foreigners, a term locally used to describe Arab and Central Asian militants, were also killed in the aerial attack. However, he did not give any numbers.

"It is not yet clear whether the attack was aimed at a high-value target," the official added.

The attack was the latest in a series of airstrikes by US-operated drones on militants hiding in Pakistan's tribal region close to the Afghan border. Dozens of people, including several non-combatants, have been killed.

Pakistan, a key US ally, has been angered by the intensified airstrikes inside its territory, warning such actions would prove "counterproductive" in the fight against terrorism. (dpa)