US missile strikes targeted militant hideouts in Pakistan's lawless tribal area of South Waziristan on Friday and casualties were feared, Pakistani security officials said.

"There were missile strikes in two places. The targets were militant hideouts. We are upchecking casualties," a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"Three missiles hit the hideout of Taliban commander Noor Wali. Casualties are feared, but details are not immediately available," another security official told AFP.

The compound of Wali — a close ally of Pakistani Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud, who has a five-million-dollar price on his head — was hit in Kokat Khel village of South Waziristan, which lies on the border with Afghanistan.

"It was a US drone attack. We have checked — no Pakistani aircraft was involved in this incident," a Pakistani military official said.

AFP

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