Islamabad - At least 13 people were killed on Friday in a suspected US aerial strike in Pakistan's north-western tribal region close to the Afghan border, officials said.

Two missiles believed to be fired from drones targeted a compound in Kamsham village, around 30 kilometres south of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, which is considered a hotbed of al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

"According to preliminary information collected from the locals, at least 13 insurgents were killed and several more injured," a security official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the strike completely destroyed a training centre run by the local Taliban.

"Four to five foreigners also died in the attack," he added. The term "foreigner" refers to the al-Qaeda fighters of central Asian and Arab origin.

Kamsham area is dominated by the ethnic Pashtun Wazir tribe and is considered as a safe haven for al-Qaeda and Taliban militants launching cross-border attacks on US-led international forces in Afghanistan.

American forces have carried out more than a dozen airstrikes and the lone documented ground assault in Pakistan's tribal areas since August, killing scores of militants, besides causing a large number of non-combatant deaths.

Islamabad has warned the US authorities that such unilateral actions on its soil could prove "counterproductive" to the fight against terrorism. (dpa)