USAF photo of a MQ-1L Predator UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, (2006 file photo)Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone (unmanned aircraft) fired missiles on Taliban and al-Qaida hideouts in the South Waziristan tribal region Friday, killing at least 10 people.

Local officials say the missiles targeted an area controlled by Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban leader and al-Qaida ally.

The Pakistani army is currently trying to hunt down Mehsud, who is blamed for scores of attacks against government and civilian targets. Authorities also believe Mehsud is a key link for al-Qaida fighters in Pakistan's troubled northwest region.

In North Waziristan earlier this week, Taliban leaders withdrew from a peace deal with the Pakistani government, saying the government had failed to stop suspected U.S. strikes in North and South Waziristan.

Pakistani leaders have criticized the suspected U.S. attacks as counterproductive and a violation of the country's sovereignty.

The United States rarely discusses the strikes.

The U.S. has offered a $5 million bounty for Baitullah Mehsud.


Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.