PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- At least 17 people were killed in a U.S drone attack in the volatile North Waziristan tribal region in northwest Pakistan early Wednesday, officials said.
Local residents and security officials said the aircraft fired four missiles and struck a house at Sara-e-Darpakhel area of Miranshah, which is located near the Afghan border.
"I never heard such a huge drone strike before," local resident Nasrullah Khan said. "They simultaneously fired four huge missiles and jolted the entire town."
Local administration officials and tribesmen said a house located in a residential area appeared to have been targeted.
"At the moment we don't know about the victims and their identity but the area where the drone hit a structure is known for presence of militants," a Pakistani security official said, adding that the blasts "shook the whole town."
In a statement, Pakistan's government condemned the drone strike, describing it as "a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Wednesday's attack marked the first U.S drone strike since May 28, when Pakistani Taliban deputy leader Maulana Waliur Rahman and five other militant commanders were killed.
After his death, the Pakistani Taliban suspended peace talks with the government and announced it would seek revenge.
The group later claimed responsibility for the deaths of 10 foreign tourists.
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