Islamabad - A suspected US missile strike on a militant compound Monday wounded at least a dozen people in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal district close to the Afghan border, security officials and locals said.

The attack targeted the houses allegedly used by Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani in Dandai Darpakhel village located on the outskirts of Miranshah, the district's main town.

"Seven missiles hit the residential compound and a seminary," a security official said on the condition of anonymity because of sensitivity of the issue.

Initial intelligence reports said at least 12 injured people have been pulled out of the rubble, he said.

Islamist militants cordoned off the site after the attack and were not allowing locals to proceed toward the seminary.

An army spokesman confirmed that explosions did occur near Miranshah but refused to give further details, saying "the cause and damages are being investigated."

According to locals, multiple deafening blasts were heard and drones were also seen flying over the area.

US forces in Afghanistan and the US Central Intelligence Agency operate pilotless aircraft that have carried out several airstrikes in the tribal belt that is believed to be a hotbed of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. (dpa)