At least 12 people were killed in a suspected US drone strike in northwestern Pakistan's tribal region early on Friday, according to local media reports.

Reports said missiles were fired from the CIA-controlled pilotless aircraft at Dande Darpa Khel village, some two kilometers from Miranshah, the center of North Waziristan tribal agency. Locals said that six children and two women were among those killed. Three others were also injured.

A seminary of former Afghan Taliban minister Jalaluddin Haqqani is located in the village and sources said that missiles were fired near it at 3:50 am. The strike woke up the people who said that windows of several houses in the area were broken.

Tribesmen said that suspected Taliban militants attacked a few check posts in Miranshah and other areas, injuring two soldiers.

The security forces retaliated and used artillery and heavy weapons to bomb positions of the militants, locals said. Both sides exchanged fire for two hours.

The local authorities have imposed curfew for indefinite period, forcing people to stay indoor on the eve of the Holy month of Ramazan.

According to locals, security forces shot dead a man and injured another at a check post near Miranshah for violation of curfew.

Pakistan's most wanted Taliban chief, Baitullah Mehsud, was reportedly killed by a US missile attack on Aug. 5 in neighboring South Waziristan, part of the lawless tribal regions along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding in the area.

US drones regularly fire missile in the Pakistani tribal regions to target the militants and opposition parties say the Pakistani government permits such attacks. But Pakistan denies the charges.

Pakistani officials say the drone strikes have killed more than 400 people in more than 40 attacks since August 2008.

Pakistan insists that drone attacks are counterproductive and must be stopped but the CIA chief and top US officials have ruled out any change in the policy.

Pakistani forces are on an offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan after it launched an assault in the Swat Valley and Buner in the northwest in April.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2009)