MIRANSHAH: A salvo of US missiles killed at least seven militants in Pakistan`s northwestern tribal belt on Tuesday, the tenth such strike in 11 days, security officials said.

The Pakistani officials said four missiles hit a militant compound in Bushnarai village in Shawal district of North Waziristan, a region where Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have carved out strongholds.

"A US drone fired four missiles targeting a militant compound at 7:30 am (0230 GMT), killing seven militants," a senior Pakistani security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Another official confirmed the strike, but put the death toll at nine. The senior security official warned that the death toll may rise.

BDST: 1100 HRS, September 14, 2010