Suspected US missiles strike militant compound in Pak

A resident said two missiles apparently hit a sprawling compound belonging to Mullah Nazir8217;s group 8212; one of the most influential Pakistani militant groups involved in fighting US-led forces across the border in Afghanistan 8212; in Wana,the main town in the region.

There was a huge blast and we can see smoke rising from the compound,an eyewitness said.

Two missiles targeted a vehicle used by militants in the same area.

The United States has stepped up attacks on militant targets in the lawless tribal region along the Afghan border for more than an year.

Most of these attacks have targeted North Waziristan8211; a major al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary8211; but the CIA-operated drones have in recent weeks intensified attacks on militants in South Waziristan.

The Pakistan army launched a major offensive in South Waziristan in 2009,forcing many militants to flee to North Waziristan.

But security officials say many militants appeared to have slipped back to South Waziristan amid fears that the army,under pressure from the US,would launch an operation against them in North Waziristan.

Two militant commanders with Nazir8217;s group last week told they planned to step up their fight against American forces in neighbouring Afghanistan in response to intensified missile strikes on their territory.