Pakistan - Four killed in US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border

At least four militants were killed in a US drone strike on Thursday in the Nazyan district near the Pak-Afghan border.

Intelligence sources say that the drone fired three missiles on militant positions, killing at least four.

A number of others have also reportedly been injured in the strike.

The identity of the militants is yet to be ascertained, but the area is reported to be mostly inhabited by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants let by Mullah Fazllullah and also some foreign fighters.

According to security officials, militants based in the Nazyan district had planned the devastating attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left over 140 children and teachers dead and scores injured.

Strikes against militants have increased on both sides of the border since the attack.

Pakistani security forces have also been carrying out ground offensives in Khyber Agency, particularly the Tirah Valley of Bara which borders Nazyan.

Drone attacks are widely unpopular across Pakistan and according to survey conducted in June last year, 66 per cent of the country's citizens oppose the strikes.