Third US drone missile attack pounds NW Pakistan

Seven alleged militants killed in ongoing fight against al-Qaida

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Suspected American missiles hit a house in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border on Thursday, killing seven alleged militants - the latest strike in a ramped up campaign against al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in the rugged tribal region, intelligence officials said.

The drone strike in North Waziristan was the third attack there in the past 24 hours. The region is home to hundreds of Pakistan and foreign Islamist militants, many belonging to or allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban. It is also the base of a powerful insurgent group that US officials say is behind many of the attacks just across the border in Afghanistan.