PESHAWAR: Intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. missile strike has killed three alleged militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region.

The region lies adjacent to South Waziristan, an al-Qaida and Talibanstronghold that is the target of an offensive by Pakistani army soldiers.

Two intelligence officials say the drone-fired missile struck Spalaga, a village close to the border with South Waziristan, on Wednesday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.

North Waziristan is a militant stronghold as well, but the army has cut deals with insurgents there to keep them out of the fight in South Waziristan.